Discover Civitaquana: Poetry, History and Rolling Hills

Hillside Setting, Nora Valley and Views of the Maiella

Civitaquana lies on a hill above the valley of the Nora River. From this elevated location, the Maiella massif is visible. These geographical features help define the local landscape: Civitaquana combines a hillside setting with views of a mountain massif. The town is also home to architectural history, poetry and regional cuisine. When choosing accommodation, it may therefore be important whether you wish to focus on historic sites, a poetically designed trail or traditional Abruzzese sweets.

Church Architecture and Historical Traces

Santa Maria delle Grazie was founded by Benedictine monks in the second half of the 12th century. The church has a Lombard-influenced floor plan with three naves. Santa Maria delle Grazie also preserves a relief dating from the 12th century. Palazzo Leognani Castriota is an 18th-century building. Traces of the more distant past can also be found beneath the Colle Quinzio plain, where large cisterns have come to light. Outside the Civitaquana area, ancient underground aqueducts dating from Roman times have been discovered.

Castle, Lordship and Sacred Routes

The castle of Civitaquana is associated with a dated event in its history of rule. In 1269, Sordello da Goito received the castle from Charles I of Anjou and exercised lordship over it. Civitaquana is also included in the section “Le dolci colline tra il Gran Sasso e il mare” of the “Cammino delle grandi Abbazie e dei luoghi sacri del Pescarese.” Those interested in medieval history, sacred places and the cultural dimension of walking routes will find various points of connection for planning their journey in these links.

Viale della Poesia

A distinctive local connection between literature and landscape is presented by Viale della Poesia. It is a permanent open-air trail in Civitaquana that runs along the town’s double avenue of linden trees. Each year, the trail is expanded with an installation dedicated to the work of the poet honoured with the career award. In 2026, the “Civitaquana Borgo della Poesia” project entered its second edition. For travellers who want to experience cultural themes not only indoors but also throughout the town, this poetic focus offers Civitaquana a distinctive additional facet.

Events and Abruzzese Cuisine

The first edition of the National “CivitaquanaPoesia” Award was supported by the Fondazione Pescarabruzzo in cooperation with the Municipality of Civitaquana. During the Festival dell'Olio, guided tours accompanied visitors to the Chiesa benedettina della Beata Vergine Maria delle Grazie. The fifth edition of the Festival dell'Olio was announced for 16 November in Civitaquana. There is also a cooking workshop on the traditional preparation of the Abruzzese sweets neole and tarallo. The cultural offering thus ranges from a poetry award and site-specific installations to events centred on oil and traditional sweets.

Accommodation to Suit Your Interests

When choosing a hotel in Civitaquana, you can base your location decision on your personal priorities: church and architectural history, literature along the open-air trail, landscape or regional culinary themes.

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For the broader travel overview: Pescara.