Scurcola Marsicana – Fortress, Churches and Trails

Scurcola Marsicana lies at the foot of Monte San Nicola and on the western edge of the Piana del Fucino. These two geographical references give the town a distinct character between the mountain foothills and the plain.

Fortress, Churches and Sacred Art

The Renaissance Rocca Orsini was remodelled in 1490 by Francesco Di Giorgio Martini on behalf of Gentile Virginio Orsini. It has a triangular layout with two cylindrical towers and a semicircular bastion. A continuous covered defensive walkway ran along its entire circumference. Santa Maria della Vittoria houses a statue of Madonna della Vittoria carved from olive wood in the French Gothic style. The painting “Madonna con Bambino, Sant'Elisabetta e San Giovannino” depicts the Madonna and Child, Saint Elizabeth and Saint John the Baptist.

The Church of SS. Trinità is richly decorated in the Baroque style. The Church of Sant'Antonio da Padova in Scurcola Marsicana was donated to the Friars Minor of the Franciscan Order in 1506 and enlarged in the Renaissance style between 1506 and 1518. Its portal comes from the ruined Abbey of Santa Maria della Vittoria. The ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria della Vittoria have been preserved in the Piani Palentini. The municipality of Scurcola Marsicana is also home to a necropolis with burial mounds dating from the Iron Age.

Guided Tours and Religious Traditions

From 16 August to 30 September 2026, guided tours of the historic centre and churches of Scurcola Marsicana will be available on request on Saturdays and Sundays. During the same period, guided tours of the Maria SS. della Vittoria archaeological site will also be available on request on Saturdays and Sundays. The Cenacolo of Scurcola Marsicana is a ceremony commemorating the Last Supper. On Good Friday, the Calvario, also known as the Via Crucis, is celebrated in the Church of SS. Trinità.

Trails between the Fortress and the Landscape

The Cammino Mariano dei Marsi leads from Scurcola Marsicana up a flight of steps to the Rocca Orsini at an altitude of 750 m. After the Rocca Orsini, the Cammino Mariano dei Marsi follows a scenic trail that soon turns into an unpaved path through a coniferous forest. The Sentiero del Grifone runs along farm tracks and foothill trails on the southern side of the Velino-Serra massif.

Regional Specialties

Traditional baked goods are also part of the local culinary heritage. Pizza di Pasqua is a sweet bread enriched with eggs, raisins and rum. Ciammelle are made with eggs, sugar, flour, oil and yeast. Fiatoni are pastries made with cheese.

Railway Station and Railway Line

Scurcola Marsicana railway station is located on the Rome–Avezzano railway line.

More Destinations

For further travel planning, you can also discover Trasacco, Alfedena, Capistrello, Magliano De' Marsi, Pagliare, Pescina, Cocullo and Roccaraso.

For the overarching travel overview: L-Aquila.