Penna Alta: Rural Settlement Core and History of Villa Penna

Penna Alta is associated with the character of a rural settlement core. The nearby village of Villa Penna is a characteristic rural village within the municipality of Bellante and not a true historic town centre. For your trip to Italy, Bellante offers here less the image of a compact old town than a combination of a rural townscape, individual churches and the Castello di Penna. Penna Alta and Villa Penna thus represent different spatial references within the municipal area.

Spatial Character and Connection

The S.P. 17/D di Villa Penna connects the S.P. 262 via Penna Alta with the S.P. 17 near S. Onofrio. If you include several points in the surrounding area in your travel plans, this connection provides a clear line for regional orientation. This means that the rural location can be viewed not only through the townscape but also through its integration into the regional road network. For orientation within Bellante, this route can be used as a local transport connection between Penna Alta and S. Onofrio.

Churches in Villa Penna

The parish of San Martino is located in Villa Penna; the chaplaincy of S. Martino di Villa Penna also still existed. The Chiesa dell’Immacolata stands in the nearby village of Villa Penna, just outside the town centre, and features building fabric dating from the 18th century. For travellers interested in culture, this offers a combination of ecclesiastical presence, historic architecture and a rural townscape. Those interested in ecclesiastical architecture will find a specific point of reference in the Chiesa dell’Immacolata outside the town centre of Villa Penna, with building fabric dating from the 18th century. The ecclesiastical presence in Villa Penna thus includes both San Martino and the Chiesa dell’Immacolata.

The Castello di Penna

Several periods come together at the Castello di Penna. The Castello di Penna stood on the highest hill of Villa Penna and on remains dating from Roman times. It already existed in 1160. When preparing for a culture-focused stay, both the landscape setting and the historical depth are therefore relevant here.

Historical Traces of Penna

In 1279, the feudal lords Berardo di Penna, Guiglielmo di Rainone, Guiglielmo di Guiglielmo, Matteo di Ambrogia, Guiglielmo di Giuliano, Tommaso di Todomaro, Errico di Penna and Attone di Penna held Penna di Montino. In 1588, Penna belonged to the Diocese of Montalto. The Chiesa del Rosario was a subsidiary church of Penna. For a cultural and historical stay in Bellante, this section directs attention to Penna di Montino, the Diocese of Montalto and the Chiesa del Rosario.

Further places for your travel plans: Alba Adriatica, Silvi Paese, Valle Castellana, Teramo, Silvi, Colonnella, Montone, Cologna Spiaggia

To the higher-level travel overview: Teramo.