Balsorano: Castello Piccolomini, Churches and Trails

For a trip to Balsorano, architecture, religious sites and trails through the landscape can be considered as different focal points. Between Balsorano, Balsorano Vecchio and the Valle Roveto are buildings with clear historical traces; the Via delle Grotte and InCastro – sentieri di pietra lead through the landscape.

Castello Piccolomini and the Medieval Town Centre

Castello Piccolomini stands on a hill on the left bank of the River Liri, near the Valle Roveto. Its irregular pentagonal ground plan is marked by a powerful round tower at each corner. Construction began in the 15th century at the instigation of Antonio Todeschini Piccolomini, around 1460.

The historic centre of Balsorano Vecchio preserves parts of its medieval layout. These include lanes and narrow streets; the Porta San Martino was one of four gates into the town. Balsorano also contains the remains of the bell tower of the Church of Santissima Trinità, built in 1444, which is also known as Chiesa Vecchia.

Churches, Memorial Sites and the Assunta Procession

Several religious sites are located in Balsorano Vecchio. The Chiesa di San Rocco is situated there, as are the remains of the medieval Church of Santa Brigida. The ruins of the medieval hospital church of Sant'Antonio, a hospice or accommodation for people in need, also form part of this historic heritage.

The Chiesa di San Rocco has an altar in a circular niche decorated with two paintings on either side; one of them depicts San Rocco. San Rocco is the patron saint of Balsorano Vecchio, and his feast is celebrated on 15 August. The Assunta procession is also associated with this place: it begins at San Rocco in Balsorano Vecchio and leads in the evening of 2 August to SS.ma Trinità in Balsorano Nuovo. On 15 August, the image of the Assunta returns in a solemn procession to San Rocco in Balsorano Vecchio.

Cave Sanctuary and Distinctive Architectural Forms

The Eremo di Sant'Angelo is a cave sanctuary at an altitude of 917 metres above the Vallone di Sant'Angelo. Its cave contains three chapels. One of them is the Chapel of Madonna dello Spirito Santo, with a painting dated 5 May 1533.

The Chiesa Madonna delle Grazie stands out for its unusual form: its cylindrical tower serves as an apse, while the exterior ground plan is circular. Inside, the church preserves a circular apse with an altar that is still intact, as well as the nave and dome. The Renaissance tower next to the church served as a mill between the 18th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

The Convento di San Francesco contains a marble high altar with a mother-of-pearl-decorated antependium from the early 18th century, a crucifix from 1725 and a wooden statue of Saint Pasquale from the 15th century. The Museo della pastorizia in the old railway station offers another way to explore the region's history. It documents the spontaneous art and the activities of the Marsican population throughout history.

Trails and Orientation in the Surrounding Area

The Via delle Grotte (montana) begins in Balsorano Vecchio and leads through the valley to the Rifugio Sambucito, passing Collepiano. Another connection is provided by InCastro – sentieri di pietra: this route connects the three municipalities of Balsorano, San Vincenzo Valle Roveto and Morino. For geographical orientation, the connection from Balsorano Vecchio to National Road 82 is also relevant; the road is less than 2 kilometres long.

If you include a hotel in Balsorano in your travel plans, you can organise the focus of your days around the topics covered. Architecture and local history are concentrated around Castello Piccolomini, Balsorano Vecchio and these churches. The Assunta processions add a religious emphasis in August, while the Via delle Grotte and InCastro – sentieri di pietra offer a different view of the landscape and the connections between the towns.

More places for your trip to Italy: Morino, Montereale, Lucoli, Carapelle Calvisio, Roccacasale, Coppito, Scurcola Marsicana, Fontecchio.

To the higher-level travel overview: L-Aquila.