Villa Santa Maria: Culinary Tradition and History

Villa Santa Maria lies on the left bank of the Sangro River; the distinctive sandstone, limestone and clay rock formation of La Penna rises above the town. The riverside setting and geological feature provide two concrete landscape reference points for planning your trip. If you want to include culinary tradition and historic buildings in your choices alongside the scenery, Villa Santa Maria offers several clearly distinct themes.

Traces of the Caracciolo family and San Francesco

The Chiesa di San Francesco Caracciolo was built in the 17th century as the private chapel of Palazzo Caracciolo. The Caracciolo family chapel is associated with the «grotta-sottoscala», where San Francesco Caracciolo lived during a serious illness. Another «Grotta» is located in Palazzo Caracciolo; there, San Francesco Caracciolo made the decisive choice of his life. Thus, the history of the building and biographical connections to the saint sit side by side.

Next to the chapel of the Caracciolo castle stands a bronze monument by the Lombard sculptor Alfredo Vismara. Vismara was an adopted son of Villa Santa Maria; the municipality erected the monument to its saintly fellow citizen. The private chapel, the places associated with San Francesco and the municipal monument offer different ways to explore the town's history.

Culinary history and museum

The Museo dei Cuochi preserves written and photographic documents concerning the professional credentials of notable chefs from Villa Santa Maria. The collection thus draws attention to the people and their professional records that form part of the town's culinary tradition. You can arrange visits to the Museo dei Cuochi by calling 0872-944416; confirm your appointment again before your visit. The Museo del Cuoco is located in the Polo Museale Palazzo Caracciolo.

Food and culinary connections

The Uccelletti of Villa Santa Maria are bird-shaped sweets filled with grape jam. They are prepared for the feast of Sant’Antonio Abate or during the Easter season. The «Punch di Villa Santa Maria» was created in the town, while Amaro villese is made by local businesses. The Rassegna dei cuochi is also connected with the culinary tradition of Villa Santa Maria.

These connections differ in nature: for the Uccelletti, their shape, filling and occasions for preparation are specified; the Punch is rooted in its creation in the town, while the Amaro is linked to its local production. The culinary tradition can therefore be understood through both a specific sweet and the occasions when it is prepared, as well as the origin or production of other products.

An early historical reference

According to tradition, around 703 Gisulf I, Duke of Benevento, gave the Abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno the church of Santa Maria in Basilica. The traditional date of around 703 and the 17th-century building history of the Chiesa di San Francesco Caracciolo offer two clearly distant historical horizons. If you want to place historical references in chronological context, an early tradition and a much later church building stand side by side.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Cupello, Casacanditella, Mezzano, Chieti, Brecciarola, Casoli, Castel Frentano, Paglieta.

For the main travel overview: Chieti.