Celenza Valfortore between a medieval village and a nature experience

Celenza Valfortore is situated on a hill overlooking the Fortore Valley. The valley is an integral part of the town’s landscape. The hillside location and views over the valley form the town’s natural setting.

Medieval Village and Castello

The almost completely preserved medieval village of Celenza Valfortore is particularly worth seeing. Construction of the Castello di Celenza Valfortore was begun in 1467 by Giovanni Gambacorta. In 1575, Carlo Gambacorta converted the complex into an aristocratic residence. The complex thus represents a transformation from an initiated construction project into a later aristocratic residence.

Church, Museum and Casale

Construction of the present-day Chiesa di Santa Croce began in 1569. The Chiesa di Santa Croce, “Mother Church of Santa Croce”, houses a wooden sculpture of Saint Joseph with the Child by G. Colombo, dating from 1702.

The Museo archeologico antiquarium comunale is located in the rooms of the former 17th-century Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery. The Casale di San Nicola adjoining the town was expanded around a Greek Orthodox church as its focal point. Its structural elements were later integrated into the 17th-century monastery. For those interested in culture, the historical arc here extends from the medieval village and the history of the castle to the church, the museum and the adjoining Casale.

Sightseeing and Rural Chapel

When it comes to the Castello, its current use is decisive. The castle is now a private residence, so it can only be viewed to a limited extent and almost exclusively from the outside. For planning a day trip, no regular interior tour should therefore be scheduled; the exterior view remains the possible scope of a visit.

The rural Cappella rurale della Madonna delle Grazie on the road to Carlantino houses a wooden statue of the Madonna delle Grazie attributed to the sculptor Paolo Di Zinno, who came from Campobasso. Here, Cappella rurale is the term used for the rural chapel on the road to Carlantino.

Biowatching at Lago di Occhito

Lago di Occhito adds a nature theme with a sporting focus. The experience Biowatching sul Lago di Occhito is accompanied by experienced nature guides and sports instructors and provides access to the landscape features of the Occhito reservoir. It includes sporty hiking and orientation in nature. Here, the natural environment and sporting activity form part of a shared format.

The biowatching tour at Lago di Occhito is approximately 14 kilometres long, has a very demanding hiking difficulty level and lasts five hours. Its length and duration require a dedicated time slot, while the difficulty level defines its sporting focus.

Local Character on the Plate

Pane di Celenza Valfortore was made with sourdough and baked in communal ovens. In the case of the bread, the sourdough concerns the preparation, while the communal ovens shape the baking process.

Further destinations for individual travel planning: Chieuti, San Nicandro Garganico, San Nicola Di Tremiti, Cerignola, Borgo Celano, Segezia, Manfredonia and Rodi Garganico.

For the higher-level travel overview: Foggia.