Scontrone: Art, History and Nature

Scontrone brings together a varied local history, contemporary art and nature. Several nature trails offer views of La Foce and its centuries-old beech forests. In the town, murals, churches and museums reveal different aspects of its culture; near the fossil site, geological and palaeontological topics come into focus. This means you can tailor your stay to your interests, whether landscape, art or history.

Nature and historic sites

The nature trails offer views of La Foce and its ancient beech forests. Those interested in how the landscape was used in the past can find a sulphur spring in Villa Scontrone, at the site of the town’s former thermal baths. The spring and its history offer a different way to explore the area than its paths and forests.

The religious buildings also reflect different historical periods. The ancient church of Santa Maria was built before 1356 and features Romanesque capitals. The chapel of San Michele Arcangelo lies about 500 metres west of Scontrone’s built-up area. Their locations and histories help distinguish the two sites: Santa Maria is notable for its age and capitals, while San Michele is distinguished by its location outside the built-up area.

Murals and museums

The historic centre is home to 24 murals. Italian and international artists have created them since 1988, and the works were restored in August 2017. In the old town, medieval culture meets contemporary art, including through sculpture. Visitors who want to look out for public art while exploring the town will find a different focus here than in the museum collections.

The Museo Internazionale della Donna nell’Arte is a permanent museum of contemporary art. It is dedicated to women’s artistic work and displays paintings, photographs and sculptures by women artists from more than 40 countries. The Museo della Radio has a very different focus: it exhibits 50 radios made between the 1920s and the 1970s.

The Museo della Montagna features around 130 paintings, sculptures and photographs by artists who took part in editions of the national poetry and literature prize named after Teofilo Patini. The award-winning works explored the distinctive living and working conditions of mountain communities. The Centro di Documentazione Paleontologico, meanwhile, displays remains of primitive even-toed ungulates of the genus Hoplitomeryx. It is dedicated to Scontrone’s fossil site, discovered in 1991 and dated to around ten million years ago.

Fossil site and activities

A geological and natural history trail connects the Centro di Documentazione Paleontologico with the fossil site. The trail is about 800 metres long, with an elevation gain of 120 metres. During the warmer months, a section of the site prepared for visitors can be visited by prior arrangement with the centre’s operator. Both the seasonal restriction and the need to arrange the visit in advance are important.

In the Scontrone area, Escursionisti Scontrone offers a programme of group hikes each year. The local hiking club also organises an annual rock-climbing course with professional instructors. As programmes may change from year to year, it is advisable to check the dates for the year of your trip in advance. The hikes and climbing course are specific ways to experience the area actively; they are separate activities and are not interchangeable.

Traditions throughout the year

Recurring festivals also give your stay a seasonal rhythm. The feast of Sant’Antonio Abate on 17 January includes the distribution of blessed bread and a tasting of traditional dishes. Every year, the tradition of “Te cumpà me” is revived during the last days of February: figures wearing horns and bells sing to celebrate the beginning of spring. The pilgrimage to the Madonna di Canneto sanctuary starts in Villa Scontrone on 21 August. Dates and programmes for annual events may change, so check the details for the relevant year before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Cocullo, Verrecchie, Paganica, Vittorito, Collepietro, Morino, Barrea, Rivisondoli

For the wider travel guide: L-Aquila.