Serramonacesca: Abbey, Maiella Nature and Trails

If you would like to combine nature, architecture and specific destinations on your trip to Abruzzo, Serramonacesca offers a wide range of opportunities to do so. A large part of the municipality lies within Maiella National Park. At the same time, trails lead to historic buildings, distinctive landscapes and places where local traditions can still be experienced today.

Landscapes between the National Park and the Alento

In the northern part of the municipality of Serramonacesca, there are Pliocene clay badlands. These geologically shaped formations complement the protected mountain landscape with a landscape character all of their own.

Another natural area is located at the waterfalls on the Alento River. The area includes cascades, small bridges and crystal-clear pools. Piani di Tarica is also home to a recognised UNESCO geosite in Maiella Park, which is an example of tropical karst.

Wildlife observation is another possible experience: the deer enclosure is freely accessible. The animals can be observed through the viewing slits along the perimeter of the fence.

Abbey, churches and traces of the Middle Ages

The Abbey of San Liberatore a Maiella is one of the significant examples of Romanesque architecture in Abruzzo. The abbey contains an ambo dating to around 1180. It also has a mosaic floor dated to 1275. Both details provide the visit with a precise historical reference, without reducing the architecture to a single period.

A monastic community already existed at San Liberatore a Maiella around 884. The rock tombs of San Liberatore are arcosolium burials dating from no later than the 10th century.

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is located in the centre of Serramonacesca. The patronal celebrations of Serramonacesca on 12 and 13 June include the distribution of bread; they are held in honour of Sant’Onofrio and Sant’Antonio.

Routes on foot, by bicycle and by car

Serramonacesca has numerous routes for excursions on foot, by bicycle and by car. This allows you to explore the surrounding area according to different interests and at different speeds, without a single mode of transport determining the landscape experience.

The ruins of Castel Menardo have preserved almost all of their walls. The short Sentiero D4 leads to them.

The route from Serramonacesca to PassoLanciano begins in Serramonacesca and leads to PassoLanciano.

Getting there and practical information

The Abbey of San Liberatore a Maiella can be reached directly by car from Serramonacesca. For travel by train, the nearest station to the abbey is in Manoppello Scalo, approximately 13 km from the abbey. TUA buses from Pescara, Chieti or Manoppello Scalo stop in Serramonacesca, approximately 2 km from the Abbey of San Liberatore a Maiella.

When planning individual routes, two documented restrictions should be taken into account: the bridge on the path to Castel Menardo should remain closed until it has been secured. The hermitage of Sant’Onofrio should also remain closed until its roof has been secured.

Festivals and regional specialities

At the “L'aneme De Le Morte” festival on 31 October, traditional sweet dishes as well as typical dishes with cured meats and Pecorino cheese from Serramonacesca are offered.

More destinations

Abbateggio, Pescosansonesco Nuovo, Caramanico Terme, Villa Celiera, Cepagatti, Pietranico, Civitella Casanova and Collecorvino

For the overarching travel overview: Pescara.