Celano Between History and Mountain Landscapes

Celano combines historic landmarks with a striking mountain and gorge landscape. When choosing a hotel in Celano, it is worth considering the focus of your trip: will you be concentrating on collections and churches, or are you particularly interested in trails and nature? The places and routes around Celano offer different ways to explore the area, from archaeological finds to views over the Fucino Plain.

Culture and History in Celano

Castello Piccolomini houses the Collezione Torlonia, with 184 objects and 344 Roman bronze coins. Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie is said to be the only place spared during the siege by Emperor Frederick II and the subsequent destruction of old Celano in 1223. These two sites offer different ways to discover Celano’s history: through a collection and through the account of a historic event.

Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo, also known as Chiesa di Sant’Angelo, houses a relic of Pope Celestine V. Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista is known for its well-preserved, clearly visible 15th-century frescoes. They were created by artists of the Sienese school; the works include Andrea De Litio’s “Madonna con Bambino rampante.”

Paludi di Celano also tells the story of much earlier settlement in the area. It is a prehistoric pile-dwelling village and the most extensively excavated site of its kind in Abruzzo. It dates from the 17th to the 10th century BC. Celano thus brings together evidence from different periods, from the prehistoric settlement and medieval events to works of art from the 15th century.

Historic Trails and the Gole di Celano

The Celano Historic Trail is divided into three routes: a short, a medium and a long route, each with different levels of difficulty. Red-and-white trail markings and hand-carved wooden signs point the way. Along the route are remnants of the fortification walls that once protected the castle of old medieval Celano. A sport-climbing wall lies within the Sentiero Storico di Celano and the Sentiero Storico di Federico II.

Le Gole di Celano is a gorge in the central Apennines, between the municipalities of Celano, Aielli and Ovindoli. In some places, its rock walls are about two metres apart, and they reach heights of up to 200 metres at their highest point. The gorge offers opportunities for walks, trekking and outdoor excursions. The route through Le Gole di Celano leads to a section known as “Fonte degli Innamorati.”

A free online reservation is required to access Le Gole di Celano from 24 May to 31 October. Check this requirement again before your trip. When planning this excursion, it is just as important to take this seasonal rule into account as it is to decide whether you are interested in one of the three Historic Trail routes or in the gorge.

Mountain Views and Landscapes

Behind Celano, in the Marsica area, Serra di Celano rises to 1,930 metres. The mountain offers 360° views across the entire Fucino Plain and the surrounding ranges of Majella, Velino, Gran Sasso and Monti Simbruini. Part of the municipality of Celano lies within the boundaries of Parco Regionale Sirente-Velino. These two landscape features offer different perspectives: the sweeping views from the mountain and the municipality’s location within the regional protected area.

Celano is also home to the historic Sorgente dei Santi Martiri, where fresh, clear water flows. Together with the gorge and mountain views, the spring adds to the picture of a destination where natural features and cultural sites can be experienced in different ways.

Discover more destinations: Balsorano Nuovo, Rocca Pia, Aielli, Pietransieri, Fontecchio, Capitignano, Gioia Dei Marsi, Lucoli.

Go to the main travel overview: L-Aquila.