Castilenti: Churches, Wine and Traces of History

Castilenti stretches along a ridge on the Fino River, near the border with the Pescara area. If you are planning a trip that combines landscapes, cultural history, wine and historic paths, you will find several clearly distinct points of interest here: in the town itself, in its hamlets and along various routes.

Churches and Historic Buildings

The Chiesa di Santa Vittoria Vergine e Martire is a Baroque parish church in Castilenti; documented origins for the Santa Vittoria parish church date back to 1309. The Church of San Rocco dates from the 17th century and was the seat of the Brotherhood of San Rocco di Montpellier. Just outside the town centre is the Fontana Vecchia, which dates from the 16th century. These buildings offer different ways to explore the town’s religious and architectural history.

Archaeological Traces in the Hamlets

Significant historical traces can also be found outside the town centre. An Italic necropolis was discovered in Colle San Pietro, and a Roman villa in Contrada Fonte Pisciarello. The remains of a Hellenistic place of worship dating from the 3rd to the 2nd century BC were found in San Romualdo. In the settlement of Casabianca, traces of Italic settlements include evidence of a burial containing an iron sword, a bowl and a jug with a bronze handle.

Monastery, Cloister and Palazzo

The Franciscan monastery of Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto outside the town was built in 1598. The adjoining cloister dates from the 17th century and is decorated with wall frescoes depicting the Virgin Mary, Saint Francis and Saint Bernardino of Siena. The Palazzo of the Marchesi de Sterlich, built of brick in the 16th century, is also part of Castilenti’s historic architecture.

Wine and Local Experiences

The Classic Wine Tour by San Lorenzo Vini in Castilenti includes an introduction to the winery, with information about its history and vineyards, as well as a guided tasting of three types of wine, accompanied by Solina bread and house-produced oil. San Lorenzo Vini’s Private VIP Tour includes a visit to the vineyards, a stop at the historic Cascina “I Grilli” and a visit to the cellar in Castello De Sterlich. This provides a way to explore the wine landscape through tastings, its origins and specific historic sites.

Routes and Historic Path Connections

The GreenWay Terre del Cerrano route can be walked in both directions; starting in Atri and heading towards Villa San Romualdo (Castilenti) is recommended. “Via del Sale, Abruzzo – Stage 3” is a stage of the Via del Sale in Abruzzo. In Castrum Lentuli, present-day Castilenti, there is also a milestone from the Via del Sale dating from 374 AD. This gives you various historical and landscape points of reference for planning your trip, without having to combine the routes into a single path.

Further destinations for orientation: Basciano, Silvi Paese, Mazzocco, Ancarano, Cesi, Notaresco, Alba Adriatica and Martinsicuro.

For the broader travel overview: Teramo.