Cupello: History, Landscape and Regional Cuisine

Cupello between river valleys and wide horizons

If you are looking for a smaller Italian town with landscapes, history and regional cuisine, Cupello offers several different impressions. The municipality lies between the valleys of the Sinello and Trigno rivers. Its territory is gently hilly and predominantly shaped by farmland and olive groves. From the center of Cupello, you can enjoy views across the expansive Gulf of Abruzzo and Molise to the Tremiti Islands, the Majella foothills and the Gargano. This combination of open landscapes and a historic town center can help you choose the right accommodation for your personal travel interests.

Historical traces from antiquity to the town center

The present-day settlement of Cupello has been documented since the 16th century and was formerly known as Villa degli Schiavoni. Archaeological finds and the remains of a Roman villa lead even further back. They provide evidence of human settlements dating to pre-Roman times, which were connected with transhumance. This gives the landscape and the town's history a connection that extends beyond the formation of the present-day settlement.

The Palazzo Erminio Boschetti -don Ciccio- stands in the historic center. Its first construction phase dates back to the 18th century. The building is one of the fortified structures in the historic center and has a small tower. Such architectural traces are particularly interesting on a tour of Cupello because they make the town's history visible through specific buildings.

Churches and commemorative culture

The Madonna del Ponte church in Cupello is also known as the “Chiesa vecchia”. It was damaged by the bombings of 1943, subsequently demolished and rebuilt in 1956. A wooden statue of the Madonna from the 15th century stands in a marble niche. The Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mary in Cupello has a bronze portal.

The town's memory of its wartime experience is also part of local history: Every year, Cupello commemorates the bombing on its anniversary. This historical reference adds a more recent layer of local history to the older traces of settlement and architecture.

Artichokes, pasta and annual festivals

A festival is dedicated to the Mazzaferrata artichoke from Cupello and takes place between the end of April and the beginning of May. The Mazzaferrata artichoke is an indigenous variety descended from Campagnano, a late-ripening variety of the Roman artichoke. The Sagra delle 'Ndrocchie also takes place in August. Fresh pasta made by hand with a ferretto is served there. These different dates provide clear guidance if you would like to plan your trip around cultural and culinary events.

A route on foot, by bicycle or on horseback

Route 682, “Tra fiori di pesco e cuori di carciofo nella Valle del Trigno”, can be completed on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. It thus offers an opportunity to experience the landscape not only from the town center but also along this route.

Other places in the same selection

For further orientation, you can also access Taranta Peligna via Taranta Peligna, Canosa Sannita via Canosa Sannita, Palombaro via Palombaro, Castiglione Messer Marino via Castiglione Messer Marino, Tornareccio via Tornareccio, Piane d'Archi-Quadroni via Piane d'Archi-Quadroni, Casoli via Casoli and Colledimezzo via Colledimezzo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Chieti.