Elice: Castle, Church and Pasta alla mugnaia

Hilltop setting overlooking the northern side of the Fino Valley and nature walks in various parts of the municipality of Elice

Elice is situated on a hill overlooking the northern side of the valley of the Fino River. The Pro Loco Elice APS organizes nature walks in various parts of the municipality. The individual locations are selected based on their scenic, historical and natural features. This keeps the landscape connection concrete for travel planning: the hill and the northern side of the Fino Valley form the geographical setting, while the walks cover several locations within the municipality.

The Church of Santa Maria e San Martino and the fortifications of Elice

The Church of Santa Maria e San Martino is connected to Elice Castle by a vaulted passageway. The fortifications of Elice are documented as early as 1051. The castle consists mainly of brick masonry built using traditional dry-stone construction techniques. The first floor of the castle contains a large hall and a chapel. Visitors interested in culture can consider both the vaulted passageway and the brick masonry, dry-stone construction, hall and chapel as specific architectural features in Elice. When planning a cultural visit to Elice, the church and castle can be considered together because the vaulted passageway connects them.

The original foundation of the Church of Santa Maria e San Martino dates back to the middle of the 11th century. The present-day church is a 19th-century reconstruction that followed the partial destruction caused by the earthquake of 1802. The fortifications and the original church are therefore both connected with the 11th century, while the present church building dates from the 19th century.

Pasta alla mugnaia: ingredients, shape and culinary tradition in Elice

Pasta alla mugnaia is described as a typical dish of Elice. The dough for pasta alla mugnaia combines durum wheat flour, soft wheat flour and eggs. The pasta takes the form of a single long, flattened strand pulled by hand, with a diameter of approximately one centimetre. The approximate measurement refers to the diameter of the strand. The combination of durum wheat flour, soft wheat flour and eggs forms the dough from which this single long, flattened strand is pulled by hand.

The culinary tradition of Pastificio Mugnaia di Elice dates back more than 60 years. Mugnaia di Elice operates a factory outlet in Elice where all of its own products and individually designed gift offers are available. Pasta alla mugnaia from Elice is also the focus of a festival held in summer. Those who include Elice’s culinary side in their individual trip to Italy can consider the factory outlet with its own products and gift offers, as well as the summer festival, as different occasions when planning their visit.

Other destinations you can include in your travel plans for Italy are Villareia, Catignano, Turrivalignani, Civitaquana, Lettomanoppello, Roccamorice, Cerratina and San Valentino In Abruzzo Citeriore.

For the broader travel overview: Pescara.