Trasacco between Roman traces and Monte Alto

In its historic center, Trasacco combines archaeological evidence and sacred architecture with destinations in woodland and mountain landscapes. If you want to discover Italy through the history that has grown up around its places, you will encounter Roman traces, churches and paths leading to higher sites here.

Archaeology and architecture in the town center

In Trasacco’s historic center, archaeological remains of the Italic-Roman vicus Supinum can be found on Via della Torre, including a cistern and other wall remains. The Roman settlement center is documented from the 3rd century BC through Late Antiquity by inscriptional sources and grave goods.

A distinctive structure is the Torre Febonio. It is 27.50 meters high; approximately two thirds of the tower have a square floor plan, while the remaining part is cylindrical. The tower was certainly used as a lookout point over Lake Fucine. At the Basilica dei Santi Cesidio e Rufino, the Portale degli Uomini is a Romanesque-Renaissance portal with twisted columns, carved pilasters and sculpted capitals.

Churches and paths through the landscape

The Chiesa del Soccorso also leads deep into the local religious history. Its title is documented in connection with the pastoral visit of Bishop Muzio Colonna in July 1632; previously, it had been planned to convert the chapel into a church. The Chiesa del Soccorso originated from a chapel built outside the town on the road to Avezzano to ask the Madonna for protection from misfortune.

The Santuario della Madonna di Candelecchia is located in the Trasacco area on the border with Luco dei Marsi, at an altitude of 891 meters and 300 meters inside a dense forest. A spring emerges from solid rock 100 meters below the Santuario.

The Santuario della Madonna di Candelecchia is accessible by paved road using all means of transport. The road is level as far as the edge of the forest, after which it climbs with noticeably steeper sections. This difference in the character of the route is more important for your planning than a blanket classification of the destination.

Monte Alto and early connections

The summit of Monte Alto can be reached via an old road that leads up the mountain from the Castelluccio district in Trasacco through the first and second Vallone. On Monte Alto, at an altitude of 1,084 meters, are the remains of a fortified center of the archaic community of the Supinates (ocri Supinas). Here, the landscape route connects with a specific archaeological destination.

The marine shell ornaments from the Grotta Continenza near Trasacco suggest an exchange network that included parts of central Italy, and/or active movements by the populations living in the Fucino area.

Festivals in the historic center

The event “Ruette in festa” is associated with August and takes place in the lanes of Trasacco’s historic center. These lanes are characterized by cellars and stalls. “Mascaritte” is regarded, in connection with the festival of Sant’Antonio, as a theatrical performance staged on January 6 in the streets of Trasacco’s historic center.

Further places for travel planning

For your further travel planning: Cansano, Campotosto, Camarda, Carapelle Calvisio, Capestrano, Santo Stefano Di Sessanio, L’Aquila, Carsoli.

To the overarching travel overview: L-Aquila.