Navelli: Saffron and Borgo

Navelli combines saffron cultivation and chickpeas with a fortified Borgo whose network of lanes follows the terrain. The parish church of San Sebastiano and the karst landscape are also defining features of the town. When planning your trip, it makes a difference whether you are mainly interested in local history, local produce or a seasonal experience: saffron flower harvesting takes place during a specific period in autumn, while the history of the Borgo and Navelli’s products reveal different aspects of local life.

The fortified Borgo and its network of lanes

The fortified Borgo was built around the 14th century and was surrounded by mighty city walls. Its network of lanes follows a herringbone pattern: Via del Macello runs along the line of the steepest slope as the main thoroughfare. Narrow alleys branch off at right angles on either side, following the contour lines. Houses built from local stone line these alleys, using the natural rock as their foundations. In this way, the direction of the slope, the cross-lanes and the underlying terrain come together in the layout. Anyone interested in local history can read both the fortifications and the layout of the Borgo in this design.

San Sebastiano and Palazzo Santucci

The parish church of San Sebastiano was built on the remains of the medieval fortified town. Its 16th-century wooden portal opens directly onto the nave. The church’s lower levels preserve one of the largest and best-preserved collections of natural mummies in Italy. These features connect the building to the history of the earlier settlement, while the portal and lower levels add distinctive architectural and historical features.

Palazzo Santucci is currently unusable due to damage caused by the L’Aquila earthquake. Check its current status before planning a visit.

Saffron, chickpeas and seasonal experiences

Zafferano dell’Aquila, a saffron with protected designation of origin (DOP), is cultivated in Navelli; it received DOP recognition in 2005. Chickpeas are also closely associated with the town: Ceci di Navelli are small and have an intense flavour. At the recurring Sagra dei Ceci e dello Zafferano, both products are featured in traditional dishes and culinary specialities. The chickpeas are recognised as a Slow Food Presidio, while the saffron carries the DOP designation.

In autumn, particularly between mid-October and early November, visitors can take part in saffron flower harvesting in the fields. The flowers are then plucked and dried. Processing and harvesting are therefore separate parts of the seasonal experience. If you would like to plan your trip around this experience, check local arrangements in advance.

Festivals and landscape

Popular local traditions in Navelli include the Palio degli Asini. The Feast of Madonna dell’Arco is celebrated on the Sunday after 8 September, on the day of the Most Holy Name of Mary; it reaches its climax after midnight with the so-called “tiro dello squadro.” If one of the festivals is important to your travel plans, check the dates in advance.

The landscape around Navelli is also shaped by karst features. These include sinkholes, depressions and caves on the slopes of the hills. Residents use caves as storerooms or animal shelters. These landforms and their uses offer a different perspective on Navelli alongside the Borgo’s closely arranged lanes: the focus here is not on architectural forms, but on the area’s karst features and how they are used locally.

Discover more destinations: Vittorito, Civitella Alfedena, Massa D'albe, Morino, Pagliare, Barrea, Santo Stefano Di Sessanio, Collebrincioni

For the broader travel overview: L-Aquila.