San Benedetto In Perillis: Monastery, Caves and Cuisine

Monastic history with visible traces

The oldest part of San Benedetto in Perillis developed around a fortified Benedictine monastery at the site of Perello. The monastery preserves semicircular towers that project from the circuit wall. The Chiesa di S. Benedetto Abate has an original structure dating back to the 9th century. It is considered a building of Lombard type and is dated to approximately the 8th or 9th century. Today, it has a three-aisled basilica floor plan.

Museum and religious traditions

The Museo della cultura materiale contains various objects from the life and work of the local community, as well as Neolithic finds. It includes a prehistoric and an anthropological section dedicated to grain cultivation, oil production and weaving. It also preserves several original traditional locks that were saved from destruction. The museum's themes therefore range from early finds to agriculture, oil production, weaving and the material traces of everyday local life.

The Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie was built around 1530 by the Universitas of San Benedetto and had an adjoining hospital. As part of the festival of San Benedetto in Perillis, the cult of the Madonna di Casaluce is celebrated. In addition, an ancient religious building in San Benedetto in Perillis is dated to the period between the 8th and 11th centuries.

Cave system and trails

The underground cave system of San Benedetto in Perillis comprises several levels that frequently intersect. The local community used its caves as meeting places and for weaving. The Sistema Ipogeo di S.Benedetto is accessed through the fondaci of the buildings above.

During “Notte in Grotta”, visitors can spend the night in the caves below San Benedetto in Perillis with their sleeping bags. The caves used for this purpose were made accessible several years ago and are considered a safe and controlled underground environment.

The section of the Cammino di Margherita from Popoli to San Benedetto in Perillis passes through forests and along trails with viewpoints. The branch of the Tratturo aquilano leads via Navelli and Collepietro to San Benedetto in Perillis. The routes therefore appeal both to travelers interested in landscapes and to those interested in historic route connections.

Location and regional cuisine

San Benedetto in Perillis lies at an altitude of approximately 850 meters and overlooks the Conca Peligna. Its elevation and broad landscape setting complement the buildings, museum and underground system with a distinctly Alpine village setting. Traditional dishes from San Benedetto in Perillis include “quadrinelle e patate rifritte”. Ferratelle, also known as pizzelle in Abruzzo, are prepared in both sweet and savory versions.

More destinations for your trip

Other destinations to include in your travel planning are Collettara, Sant'Eusanio Forconese, Introdacqua, Ofena, Scanzano, Massa D'albe, Collebrincioni and Prezza.

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