Capestrano between Castle, History and the Tirino

Capestrano between Castle and Tirino

Capestrano is situated on a hill overlooking the valley of the Tirino River. Rising above the town is Castello Piccolomini, whose appearance is defined by two cylindrical towers and a square tower.

Castle and Sacred Buildings

Castello Piccolomini was rebuilt as a residence in 1465. The area around Capestrano also links several specific historic sites: the tourist circular route in the Valle del Tirino district runs from Bussi sul Tirino to Capestrano. In the direction of Bussi sul Tirino, about six kilometres from Capestrano, lies the Chiesa di San Pietro ad Oratorium.

The surviving Chiesa di San Pietro ad Oratorium is a 12th-century reconstruction of a monastic complex founded in the 8th century. The church also contains a 13th-century ciborium.

The cultural heritage of the area also includes the Franciscan monastery Convento francescano di San Giovanni, built in 1447. Its library preserves volumes and manuscripts, including a papal bull dated 18 April 1262. For travellers interested in churches, monastic history and written records, Capestrano thus offers several different ways to explore the past.

The Warrior of Capestrano

Another distinctive link to the history of the area is Il Guerriero di Capestrano. The statue was discovered by chance in the summer of 1934 while a vineyard below the town was being worked. It depicts Nevio Pompuledio and is dated to the 6th to 5th century BC.

Il Guerriero di Capestrano was carved from a single block of limestone and is 209 centimetres tall without its pedestal. The combination of its find site, subject, dating and material makes the sculpture a specific point of interest for anyone wishing to explore Italy's pre-Roman history in Capestrano.

Springs and River Experiences on the Tirino

The Tirino River rises below Capestrano from the three springs of Presciano, Il Lago and Capo d'Acqua. In Presciano, the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Loreto stands near one of these three springs, the Presciano spring. Here, water and sacred architecture meet at a precisely identifiable location.

The municipality of Capestrano allows visitors to book an excursion on the Tirino River with their own canoe or kayak. A reservation is mandatory to take part in this excursion; the municipal booking service applies to one canoe or kayak per booking. If you are planning a trip around the Tirino Valley, you should therefore consider this specific activity separately from the cultural and historical sites.

Further Places for Trip Planning

Further destinations: Gagliano Aterno, Spineta, Scontrone, Cappadocia, Villavallelonga, San Giovanni Valle Roveto Superiore, Ortona dei Marsi, Roccaraso.

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