Nocciano: Art, Churches and a Mountain Bike Circuit

Castello di Nocciano is a fortified structure between the valleys of the Cigno, Pescara and Nora rivers. Churches bearing visible traces of different centuries complete this picture; the mountain bike circuit also incorporates Nocciano into a sporting route.

Art at the Castello

Castello di Nocciano houses the Museo delle Arti, which features works by Franco Summa, Michele Cascella, Nino Caffè and Remo Brindisi. The museum is an exhibition and cultural production centre for visual arts, literature, theatre, cinema, music and new technologies.

The architectural form of Castello di Nocciano

The form of Castello di Nocciano also deserves a closer look. The floor plan is irregular and approximately resembles the shape of a double L. This form adds an architectural detail to the geographical setting of the Castello.

Churches with medieval traces

The medieval Chiesa di San Lorenzo lies outside Nocciano’s built-up area. Its façade consists of a simple stone gable front with a round-arched portal and an oculus above it, that is, a round window. Fragments of 14th-century frescoes are located in the presbytery. The Chiesa di San Lorenzo Diacono e Martire is accessible without architectural barriers. The church, located outside the built-up area, is therefore a separate point of reference when planning the spatial layout of a visit.

Another layer of history is represented by the Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie. It was built in the 12th century; ancient foundations visible inside point to this early construction phase. The old fresco of the enthroned Virgin and Child dates from the mid-15th century. A fresco with illusionistic three-part architecture was probably added to the older central Madonna fresco in the first decades of the 18th century.

Mountain biking between several places

The mountain bike circuit “Loop: Villa Badessa – Fiume Nora – Rosciano – Nocciano” is 22.5 km long, moderately difficult and has a mixed surface consisting of 43% asphalt and 57% paved or unpaved paths. The route runs from Rosciano via Nocciano and highlights Castello De Sterlich-Aliprandi and the Museo delle Arti there. At 22.5 kilometres, the loop should be planned as a separate cycling section. Its moderate difficulty provides additional guidance, while the mixed surface can be taken into account when planning the day. In addition to Rosciano and Nocciano, the route also includes Villa Badessa and Fiume Nora. For cyclists, not only the distance but also the sequence of different surfaces is therefore part of the planning. The proportion of 43 per cent asphalt and 57 per cent paved or unpaved paths should be considered when choosing the time window, just as the moderate difficulty rating should be. The loop therefore requires its own place in the day’s schedule.

More places for planning your trip

For further trip planning, you can also include Tocco Da Casauria, Villa Celiera, Cappelle Sul Tavo, Caprara D'abruzzo, Montebello Di Bertona, Musellaro, Pescosansonesco Nuovo and Manoppello.

For the overall travel overview: Pescara.