Discover Trasacco

Trasacco combines archaeological traces in its historic center with religious buildings and sites in the higher elevations. If you are looking for hotels in Trasacco, consider whether you would like to focus primarily on ancient settlement history, architecture, or religious sites. Local highlights range from a Roman settlement center to a woodland sanctuary and the remains of a fortified center on Monte Alto.

Ancient Traces and Buildings

In Trasacco’s historic center, archaeological remains of the Italic-Roman Vicus Supinum can be found on Via della Torre, including a cistern and other sections of wall. Inscriptions and grave goods attest to the Roman settlement center from the 3rd century BC through Late Antiquity.

The marine-shell ornaments from Grotta Continenza near Trasacco also offer a glimpse of wider connections. They suggest an exchange network that included parts of central Italy and/or active movements among the populations living in the Fucino area.

The Torre Febonio is 27.50 meters high; about two-thirds of the tower has a square ground plan, while the rest is cylindrical. The Torre Febonio was certainly used as a lookout point over Lake Fucino. At the Basilica dei Santi Cesidio e Rufino, the Portale degli Uomini is a Romanesque-Renaissance portal. Twisted columns, carved pilasters, and sculpted capitals define its design.

Religious Sites and Routes

The Chiesa del Soccorso originated as a chapel built outside the town, on the road to Avezzano, to ask the Madonna for protection from misfortune. An excerpt from Bishop Muzio Colonna’s decrees concerning his pastoral visit in July 1632 records the title “Chiesa del Soccorso”; previously, there had been plans to convert the chapel into a church.

The Santuario della Madonna di Candelecchia lies in the territory of Trasacco, on the border with Luco dei Marsi, at an altitude of 891 meters and 300 meters inside a dense forest. A spring emerges from solid rock 100 meters lower down. A paved road leads to the sanctuary and is accessible by all means of transport: it is level as far as the edge of the forest, then climbs in considerably steeper sections. Take the steeper stretch beyond the forest edge into account when planning your drive.

The summit of Monte Alto can be reached via an old road that climbs the mountain from Trasacco’s Castelluccio district, passing through the first and second Vallone. At an altitude of 1,084 meters are the remains of a fortified center of the archaic Supinate community (ocri Supinas).

A performance of the play “Mascaritte” took place in the streets of Trasacco’s historic center as part of the Sant’Antonio festival on January 6.

Discover more destinations: Casentino, Pescocostanzo, Villavallelonga, Ovindoli, Ortona dei Marsi, Campotosto, Pescasseroli, Gagliano Aterno

For the broader travel overview: L-Aquila.