San Pio delle Camere: Peltuinum, Churches and Castelnuovo

Archaeology around Peltuinum

San Pio delle Camere can be discovered through specific historical sites. The archaeological site of Peltuinum extends across the present-day municipalities of Prata d'Ansidonia and San Pio delle Camere. Excavations at Peltuinum uncovered a temple and a theatre. The two buildings are among the site's archaeological remains.

The Castello di San Pio delle Camere

The Castello di San Pio delle Camere is a fortified building on the slopes of Monte Gentile, in a commanding position above the town centre. The castle brings together its hillside location on Monte Gentile and the earliest written record from 1173. The earliest surviving records of the Castello di San Pio delle Camere date from 1173. The year 1173 therefore belongs to the town's early written history.

Churches with different historical layers

The Chiesa di San Pietro Celestino was rebuilt in the first half of the 16th century. Four paintings in the Chiesa di San Pietro Celestino summarise the history of Saint Celestine V. The Chiesa di San Pietro Celestino thus combines the building history of the 16th century with a series of images depicting the saint's history.

The Chiesa di San Paolo di Peltuinum has Benedictine origins. It was built in the 12th century on the foundations of an older church. This older church lies beneath the Chiesa di San Paolo di Peltuinum; it was built using reused materials.

Castelnuovo and the history of transhumance

Castelnuovo is a fortified village in San Pio delle Camere that preserves an urban layout with Roman influences. While the castle is a fortified building, Castelnuovo is a fortified village with its own urban context.

The Chiesa tratturale di Santo Stefano served as accommodation for shepherds travelling along the Tratturo during seasonal transhumance. Here, the term transhumance refers to the shepherds' seasonal journey along the Tratturo. The accommodation function was linked to seasonal transhumance and to the Tratturo.

Grotticelle and the Tratturo Magno

Some of San Pio delle Camere's underground Grotticelle are currently used several times a year by producers as tasting rooms for local products. The Grotticelle combine the underground form of the rooms with their present-day use by producers.

The section of the Tratturo Magno near San Pio delle Camere is well signposted and easy to identify. For orientation along the route, the combination of clear signage and easy recognisability is the key practical indication.

More destinations: Sant'Eusanio Forconese, Corfinio, San Demetrio Ne' Vestini, Civitella Alfedena, Pagliare, Preturo, Celano, Cansano

For the overarching travel overview: L-Aquila.