Discover Balsorano Nuovo

Get to know Balsorano Nuovo through its churches, artworks, and long-standing traditions. There are also trails with different destinations and route details. For trip planning, it is therefore worth looking at the individual places and their distinctive features—from the Chiesa della Santissima Trinità to the high-altitude destinations around Sant’Angelo.

Churches and sacred art

The Chiesa della Santissima Trinità is located in Piazza Scacchi. It was established between 1934 and 1937 after the 1915 earthquake destroyed the old church, and was consecrated in 1939. The statue of San Giorgio is also kept in the church. The Convento di San Francesco preserves other works of art: a marble high altar with an altar frontal decorated with mother-of-pearl from the early 18th century, a wooden statue of Saint Paschal from the 15th century, and a crucifix from 1725. Original coats of arms of the Piccolomini-Silveri family, dating from 1600, are set into the altar balustrade. Together, these varied objects offer insight into the religious and artistic history of the town.

Architecture and historic sites

At the Chiesa Madonna delle Grazie, a cylindrical tower serves as the apse. A square tower stands around 50 meters from the church. At least two above-ground floors of this structure remain; it also has a vaulted underground chamber. Another historic church is the Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Sassi in the hamlet of Ridotti. It dates from the 13th century and contains a fresco depicting purgatory, dated to the first half of the 18th century.

The Castello Piccolomini in Balsorano has an almost pentagonal floor plan. Another place that helps put the settlement’s history into context is the Parco della Rimembranza di Balsorano: it is located in the center of the settlement nucleus known as “new” Balsorano, which was built downhill after the 1915 Marsica earthquake. Here, “new” refers to the distinction between the settlement nuclei.

Museum and regional traditions

The Museo della pastorizia is housed in the old railway station building. Its themes include spontaneous art and the activities of shepherds and pastoral communities among the people of the Marsica region over the centuries. It complements the churches and historic buildings by offering a look at shepherding and pastoral communities.

Easter traditions in Balsorano include Piccillat and Calascinetti. Piccillat is a sweet, twice-risen, orange-flavored pastry made mainly from flour, sugar, and lard. Calascinetti are ravioli filled with various cheeses and pepper; the cheeses used are aged pecorino, cow’s milk cheese, and Grana Padano. The two dishes therefore differ significantly in form and preparation.

Balsorano Nuovo celebrates its patron saint, San Giorgio, on April 23. The statue of Maria SS.ma Assunta is brought to Balsorano Nuovo on August 2 and returned to Balsorano Vecchio on August 15. For several years, the food and wine event “Calici e musica sotto le stelle” has been held in Balsorano Vecchio on August 10 as part of the San Lorenzo festival. The venues are Castello Piccolomini and the medieval town center. Check the program for the relevant year before your trip.

Trails and hiking destinations

A trail leads from the main piazza of Balsorano Nuovo toward the Serra Lunga mountains and the Santuario di Sant’Angelo. The Eremo di Sant’Angelo is a cave sanctuary at an elevation of 917 meters above the Vallone di Sant’Angelo. The cave contains three chapels. The chapel of the Madonna dello Spirito Santo contains a painting dated May 5, 1533.

Other routes also have specific destinations. CAI hiking trail 628, classified as escursionistico (hiking), is 4.8 kilometers long and leads from Serra Alta in the municipality of Balsorano to Serra Comune in the municipality of Sora. The InCastro route connects the three municipalities of Balsorano, San Vincenzo Valle Roveto, and Morino with the Zompo Lo Schioppo nature reserve. The Cappella di San Giovanni is another high-altitude destination: it is located in Località Solagna delle Riconche at an elevation of 1,000 meters above the hamlets of Collepiano and Case Marconi. The details about starting point, destination, and elevation help you distinguish between these places when planning your trip.

Discover more travel destinations: L’Aquila, Montereale, Villavallelonga, Cansano, Stiffe, Poggio Picenze, Barrea, Avezzano.

Return to the main travel overview: L-Aquila.