Aielli between Gorge, Murals and History

Aielli showcases, within a compact thematic area, the unique connection between landscape, local history and contemporary art. The Gole di Aielli-Celano offer a 4.5-kilometre gorge route, while the Borgo Universo open-air museum extends through the town’s streets, squares and public spaces. In between, you will encounter medieval traces, churches from different periods and a route illustrating the dimensions of the solar system.

Gorge and Mountain Landscape around Aielli

The gorge walls reach heights of several hundred metres and were formed by the millennia-long erosion caused by the La Foce stream. This natural experience therefore focuses not only on hiking, but also on the geological development of the landscape.

Part of Aielli’s mountainous area also lies within the Sirente-Velino Regional Nature Park. The natural side of the town thus extends from the striking gorge into a protected mountain landscape.

Churches, Gates and Local Festival Traditions

The Porta Montanara is part of the town’s historic character. It formed part of the walled complex that connected Aielli’s medieval Burgo with the Castello situated on the summit. The parish church Chiesa della Santissima Trinità is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and was built at the instigation of Count Antonio Piccolomini di Celano between 1477 and 1479.

The Chiesa di San Rocco also reaches back to an older religious tradition. It was built in 1546 as a burial church and dedicated to Saint Roch, who was venerated as the patron saint against the plague. A 16th-century fresco of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio preserved in the church reflects this art-historical dimension. The historical perspective is complemented by the Madonna della Vittoria festival, which has taken place on the first Sunday in July for around 20 years and no longer on 10 May.

Murals and the View into the Universe

Borgo Universo began in 2017 as a festival of street art and astronomy. Today, the open-air museum comprises more than 50 works, including murals, sculptures and installations distributed throughout Aielli’s streets, squares and public spaces. The Tour dei Murales is a guided walk through this open-air museum, accompanied by local guides from the Cooperativa di Comunità La Maesa.

Another highlight is the Torre delle Stelle. There, a route set within nature depicts the solar system at a scale of one to one billion. Visits to the Torre delle Stelle can be reserved by consulting the event calendar and then sending a request via WhatsApp. Aielli can therefore be explored through its architectural history as well as through public art and astronomical themes.

More Destinations for Trip Planning

For further orientation, you can also explore Cansano, Pratola Peligna, Scanzano, Capistrello, Stiffe, Celano, Campotosto and Scurcola Marsicana.

For the overview of the wider area: L'Aquila.