Fossacesia: Abbey, Coast and Trabocchi

The Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere is a historic landmark in Fossacesia. Rows of olive trees slope down towards the Adriatic Sea.

Abbey and historic cultural sites

The Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere comprises a three-nave basilica, a monastery with a central cloister, extensive grounds and a viewpoint. The church features the structure of a Cistercian basilica; three pointed arches separate its naves. The basilica, cloister, grounds and viewpoint form clearly distinguishable areas.

The site of San Giovanni in Venere was already in use around 2,500 years ago, in approximately the 5th or 4th century BC; a Samnite necropolis is thought to date from this period.

The 15th-century Chapel of Sant’Antonio Abate is located in Palazzo Mayer. On the ground floor, the Museo della Guerra presents a permanent exhibition about the war in Fossacesia and its surrounding area from 1943 to 1945. Visits are possible by prior arrangement. The chapel and museum represent different historical focuses within the same palazzo.

Adriatic Coast, beaches and trabocchi

Fossacesia lies among rows of olive trees that slope down towards the Adriatic Sea. The coastline includes pebble and sandy beaches as well as coves and inlets. Pebbles, sand and coves describe different coastal forms, so this stretch of coast is not limited to a single type of beach. Its distinctive character includes the trabocchi: wooden fishing platforms attached to the rocky coast and protected as priority cultural assets under regional laws.

Spiaggia di Punta Cavalluccio is a small sandy beach surrounded by lush vegetation. The Trabocco di Punta Cavalluccio is also located there. At this stretch of coast, the beach landscape and a characteristic element of the region’s coastal culture therefore meet directly.

Experience nature and choose the right type of stay

Recently opened nature trails are available for walks and mountain-bike excursions. They offer insights into the local flora and fauna. The two activities have different focuses: on foot, observation is more prominent, while mountain biking emphasizes moving through the landscape.

Parco dei Priori was restored by the municipality of Fossacesia and opened to the public in 2012. Palazzo dei Priori includes an extensive park with a viewing balcony overlooking the Gulf of Venus; the park hosts numerous artistic and cultural events. The viewing balcony directs the gaze across the Gulf of Venus, while the events bring art and culture to the park.

Fossacesia is served directly by Autolinee Di Fonzo. When choosing your accommodation, you can first decide whether to focus on the abbey and cultural sites, the coast and trabocchi, or nature trails and landscapes. If you would like to compare other places for planning your trip, you can also find San Salvo, Villamagna, Mezzano, Francavilla al Mare, San Giovanni Teatino, San Martino Sulla Marrucina, Roccascalegna and Chieti.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Chieti.