Casalincontrada: Discover Earthen Architecture and Historic Sites

Casalincontrada is shaped by earthen architecture, historic buildings and places of remembrance. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can choose your travel dates to coincide with visits and event dates. Topics range from Cesare De Lollis’ way of life and traditional building methods to buildings dating from the 14th to the 16th century.

Massone Houses

Villa De Lollis is the birthplace of Cesare De Lollis and home to the Centro di Documentazione Permanente sulle Case di Terra. Visitors can see the original living spaces, furnishings, personal belongings and Cesare De Lollis’ library inside the house. The Centro documents local knowledge about building with Massone, a mixture of earth and straw.

Another way to explore is the Casa di Teresa: this traditional two-storey house is made of Massone. The ground floor contains a kitchen and stable, while the upper floor has two bedrooms. A permanent exhibition covers building techniques using clay and unfired earth. The Casa therefore illustrates not only the material, but also the actual layout of a house. Admission is free; ask the venue directly about opening hours.

Historic Buildings and Details

The Arco d’ingresso dates from the 14th century. A stone Madonna and Child from the 15th century stands on top of it. A tympanum is the decorated surface above a portal. The Porta di Cerretone has a limestone tympanum featuring plant motifs and animal depictions.

La Cisterna, a cistern dating from the 16th century, is next to the former church of San Domenico in the old town centre and was once used to store water. The Chiesa Santa Maria della Pietà, formerly San Domenico, also dates from the 14th century. The Chiesetta dell’Iconicella dates from the 16th century and stands where old branches of the Tratturo meet. The dates range from the 14th century for the Arco and church, to the 15th-century Madonna, and the 16th-century La Cisterna and Chiesetta.

Walking Route and Events

The Il percorso delle case di terra walking route lets visitors see some restored houses made of unfired earth. Accompanied by their owners and custodians, visitors can go inside the houses and learn their stories. Confirm arrangements with the owners and custodians locally.

The Sagra della Marrocca takes place every year, usually in the third week of July. The Festa della Terra is held every September in Casalincontrada, a hilltop town in Val Pescara in the province of Chieti. Founded in 1996, the event lasts a week; its programme includes seminars, practical workshops, photography exhibitions, conferences and festivities centred on healthy, sustainable and local building with unfired earth.

Discover more destinations: Fossacesia, Roccascalegna, San Lorenzo, Torricella Peligna, Pollutri, Carunchio, Lido Di Casalbordino, Palombaro

For the overview of the wider area: Chieti.