Discover Altino: Nature, Peppers and History

Altino brings together a natural landscape, a distinctive pepper-growing tradition and historical heritage. To help plan your trip, you can explore these different highlights: waterbirds and river scenery, Altino’s sweet pepper, or churches, a museum and olive mills. Each offers its own way of discovering the town, without setting out a fixed itinerary.

Nature watching at the Oasi di Serranella

The Oasi di Serranella lies within the municipal areas of Altino, Casoli and Sant’Eusanio del Sangro. A wildlife protection oasis for the fauna of the Province of Chieti was established there in 1987; in 1990, Regional Law L.R. 68/90 designated the area as a regional reserve. The Oasi is also part of the Site of Community Importance IT7140215 “Lago di Serranella e colline di Guarenna.” These designations establish the area as a protected natural environment.

A specific starting point for nature watching is the “Percorso dei fiumi.” In the Altino area, the trail leads to the confluence of the Aventino and Sangro rivers; access is from contrada Selva. At suitable times, the route offers opportunities to observe waterbirds, including at close range. The river confluence and birdwatching are therefore two closely connected themes along this trail. If waterbirds are your main interest, the timing caveat is important when planning your visit.

Peperone dolce di Altino: product and cuisine

Peperone dolce di Altino refers to the sweet pepper variety “Paesanello di Altino,” also known as “A cocce capammonte.” One characteristic detail in its description is that its fruits point upwards. The name thus refers not only to the sweet pepper but also to a distinctive shape that helps identify the product.

In regional cuisine, Peperone dolce di Altino is used as a seasoning in cured meats such as Salsicce and Ventricina. Only residents of the competing contrade take part in the Festival del Peperone dolce di Altino. They create their own menus, reinterpret traditional recipes and try new combinations with sweet pepper. The culinary tradition is reflected both in its use as a seasoning and in the festival, which provides an opportunity to create original menus and new combinations.

Churches, a museum and trappeti

The Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie houses a panel painting of the Madonna delle Grazie dating from 1335. A different chapter in the history of the churches concerns the Chiesa di San Rocco, located outside the old town centre. Based on a stylistic assessment, it was probably built between the 15th and 16th centuries. The two churches therefore point to different historical details: a dated panel painting and a cautiously estimated construction period.

The Museo del Peperone Dolce di Altino was designed by architect Giuseppe Manzi and inaugurated in Altino in July 2015. It is a place of historical memory and environmental change, and strengthens the identity of the Altino area. The museum thus complements the culinary perspective on sweet pepper with a historical and landscape context.

The trappeti, or olive mills, are another part of Altino’s history. Numerous ancient trappeti have been preserved in the area, with working machinery and intact spaces retaining their original appearance. The mills’ development ranges from “trabocco” mills, among the oldest and most striking mills of the 19th century, to mills with wooden or iron screw presses. Comparing these types of presses brings the evolution of milling technology into focus.

When deciding on your trip, you can choose what interests you most: the Oasi di Serranella offers nature and waterbirds, while the pepper-growing tradition, churches, museum and trappeti reveal other sides of Altino.

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