Valle San Giovanni: Landscape, Road History and Culture

Valle San Giovanni in the Tordino Valley

Valle San Giovanni is located in the narrow valley of the Tordino River. The Lete and Fiumicello streams converge in this river. Monte Alfieri, a mountain, is located in the surrounding area. The landscape therefore consists of a narrow river area, two converging streams and a mountain near the town. The Tordino also appears along the route of the Via Cecilia, which, after its section through Valle San Giovanni, continued approximately along the lower river. The river is thus both part of the landscape and part of the historic road route.

The Via Cecilia and the milestone CXIII

The Via Cecilia was built as part of the Roman reorganization of the conquered territory. The section leading through Valle San Giovanni reached Inteamniae (Teramo) and then continued approximately along the lower Tordino to Castrum Novum. The Via Cecilia led through Valle San Giovanni; the milestone CXIII belongs to the same historical context. The sequence of Inteamniae (Teramo), the lower Tordino and Castrum Novum gives the road route a spatial direction.

Madonna della Neve and rural life

A house next to the Madonna della Neve church in Valle San Giovanni features a mural depicting rural life. The motif complements the Roman road history with rural life. The house is therefore located next to the Madonna della Neve church building. Thus, alongside the ancient road route, there is a specific glimpse of rural everyday life.

Museums and an ancient site in the surrounding area

The Museo Etnografico e delle Tradizioni Contadine “Borgo Antico” is a museum in the vicinity of Valle San Giovanni. The Tempio di Ercole is an ancient site in the area surrounding the town. The Civic Museum and the Pinacoteca Civica di Teramo are also located in the surrounding area; both are museums. The area around Valle San Giovanni therefore contains a museum dedicated to rural traditions, an ancient site and two other museums.

Routes with different connections to the town

The Gli altopiani della transumanza route passes by Valle San Giovanni. The Lu Sclucchie mountain bike route starts in Valle San Giovanni. On the first route, the town lies along the course; on the second, it is the starting point. This difference is practical when choosing a route: those who want to start their ride in Valle San Giovanni will find the beginning at Lu Sclucchie; Gli altopiani della transumanza, on the other hand, passes by the town. The choice between the two routes therefore initially depends on whether starting the ride in the town or passing by the town is the priority.

More places for travel planning: Cologna Paese, Mazzocco, Sant'omero, Civitella Del Tronto, Floriano, Penna Sant'Andrea, Alba Adriatica, Scerne.

To the main travel overview: Teramo.