Case Alte: Cisterns, Hilltop and Panorama

Case Alte lies on the crest of a gentle hill and is surrounded by cultivated land. A beautiful panorama can be seen from the village. The European bee-eater nests along Via Case Alte. The elevated location, views across the surrounding countryside and cultivated land shape Case Alte’s open landscape setting. As a result, the village remains closely connected to its agricultural surroundings.

Hilltop and narrow access road

Case Alte is reached via a narrow road that descends into the surrounding countryside from the northern corner of the walls of Sant'Omero and climbs back up to the village after just over a kilometer. When traveling there, it is therefore important to take into account not only the distance but also the change from descent to ascent. The narrow road thus forms its own topographical access route between Sant'Omero, the surrounding countryside and the higher-lying village of Case Alte.

Historic center and Roman cisterns

The original historic center of Case Alte consisted of a cluster of farmhouses on the hilltop. Case Alte is also home to the most extensive and best-preserved group of Roman cisterns in Sant'Omero. The Budiani cistern consists of two large interconnected chambers. The historic center and the group of cisterns thus connect the history of farmhouses with a specific Roman structure. For those interested in culture, these different historical references are located within Case Alte itself.

Church and commemorative heritage

The small church of Santa Maria Assunta stands in Case Alte’s main square. It was built in more recent times to commemorate the now-vanished ancient Santa Maria de Cellis. The present-day church connects Case Alte’s central square with the memory of an ancient religious building that no longer survives. In Sant'Omero, the Chiesa Sant'Angelo Abbamano was assessed for cultural interest in 2006 under Art. 10(1) and Art. 12 of Legislative Decree 42/2004.

Cultural destinations in the surrounding area

Another cultural point of interest is the Museo della Civiltà Contadina in Val Vibrata, located in the area around Case Alte. Case Alte itself contains the cisterns, the original historic center and Santa Maria Assunta; the Chiesa Sant'Angelo Abbamano is located in Sant'Omero. The museum thus provides an additional connection to a location outside the immediate village area.

Location and orientation

The hillside location, narrow access road, panorama and historic buildings define Case Alte’s spatial setting. The approach leads from the northern edge of Sant'Omero’s walls through the surrounding countryside to the hilltop. The original historic center and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in the main square are located here; the group of cisterns also belongs to Case Alte. In this way, orientation on site connects the ascent, hilltop and main square with the cultural points of reference in Sant'Omero and Val Vibrata.

Other places for orientation

Floriano, Villa Rosa, Rocca Santa Maria, Colledara, Torano Nuovo, Roseto Degli Abruzzi, Silvi Paese and Giulianova

For the broader travel overview: Teramo.