Controguerra: Hills, Vineyards and Historic Sites

If you are considering Controguerra as a destination for a trip to Italy, the town reveals two prominent sides: gentle hills with extensive vineyards and olive groves, as well as buildings shaped by its cultural and historical heritage. The view extends to the coast, while the trails and historic sites appeal to a range of interests.

Architecture and Traces of Local Life

Near the center of Controguerra, a Pinciaia can be seen on Via Circonvallazione Nord at the entrance to Vicolo delle Siciliane. The earthen house is in relatively good condition and has been reinforced with brick structures. Several other Pinciaie can still be seen in Controguerra; they are considered typical earthen houses of rural civilization.

The Oratorio dell’Immacolata Concezione, also known as Madonna della Cona, is a 16th-century church. It preserves a contemporary fresco of the Virgin Mary with the kneeling Saint Augustine and the standing Benedict the Abbot. The fresco covers the entire wall behind the altar. The Palazzo Ducale degli Acquaviva was built in the 16th century by the powerful noble family of the Dukes of Atri.

The Chiesa di San Francesco also takes you back to an earlier era. The church and the adjoining modest monastery were rebuilt in the 1920s and 1930s on the site of an older Franciscan monastery. The new church and monastery were inaugurated in 1933 according to the plans of engineer Benedetto Sorge.

Winegrowing, the Museum and Local Meeting Places

The Museo della Cantina Montori displays historic items from the company. These include an impressive Swiss wooden wine press from the early 20th century. The Palazzo Comunale complex now houses the Enoteca Comunale and the Circolo Giovani e Anziani di Controguerra. In this way, winegrowing and local community life emerge at two different historic sites.

Trails through the Surrounding Area

For active exploration, the Percorso delle 3C mountain bike trail connects Controguerra, Colonnella and Corropoli. It covers 30 kilometers of unpaved paths. A Nordic walking trail leads from Controguerra to the hamlet of San Venanzo; on foot, the route takes approximately one and a half hours. The longest section of the Via Reale that can still be walked descends to the hamlet of Pazzano and the Lago Crescenzi, then continues along the San Giovanni valley to the hamlet of San Savino di Nereto. The different route details provide an initial guide for planning your days.

The Chiesa di San Benedetto Abate belongs to more recent history. It was severely damaged by the 2016 earthquake in central Italy and reopened to the public in 2019 after restoration and safety work.

Other destinations for orientation include Alba Adriatica, Canzano, Santa Maria, Arsita, Ripoli, Montone, Villa Rosa and Poggio Morello.

For the broader travel overview: Teramo.