Manoppello: Volto Santo and Cultural Heritage

Manoppello combines religious destinations with architectural and local history, as well as trails in Majella National Park. When choosing a hotel for a stay here, your trip’s main focus can help: would you like to learn about the Volto Santo and old churches, explore the historic town center, or combine a hike with a particular trail? The sights reflect different historical and religious influences. Nature and craftsmanship complete the picture of the municipality.

The Volto Santo and Churches in Manoppello

The Volto Santo is described as a very thin, almost transparent piece of fabric. It measures 17 × 24 centimeters and bears the imprint of a male face; the image is visible on both sides. The Santuario del Volto Santo was founded in 1620 together with the Capuchin monastery and was initially dedicated to the Archangel Michael.

The Abbey of Santa Maria Arabona is located in the district of the same name in Manoppello. It dates from the late 12th century and is considered the first Cistercian church built in Abruzzo. Three paintings on its choir wall were signed by Antonio Martini di Atri and dated 1377. At the abbey, you can therefore encounter both the architectural history of the late 12th century and specifically dated 14th-century paintings.

Another architectural stop is the Chiesa di San Pancrazio, a single-nave church in the Romanesque style. “Single-nave” describes a church interior with one main nave. Together with the term “Romanesque,” it gives a concise, concrete impression of the building’s design.

The Historic Center, Stone, and History

The historic center is home to numerous small aristocratic palaces dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. They were built from local stone, known as “pietra di Manoppello.” The Casa di Terra Cruda di Santa Maria Arabona is a unique example in Manoppello of an earthen construction in the distinctive Massone building style.

The town’s history dates back to the ancient Samnite and Roman settlement of Pollitium: Manoppello stands on its ruins. Pollitium was destroyed in the 6th century and rebuilt by the Lombards in the 8th century. The recorded craft traditions include forging iron and copper, as well as making household items such as pots, conche, and pizzelle molds. Alongside the history of the buildings and earlier crafts, ceramics and objects made from Majella stone are still produced in two workshops today.

Trails, Landscape, and San Pietro

Manoppello is part of Majella National Park. The Sentieri delle Capanne in Pietra trail network includes the town and provides access to numerous important agro-pastoral dry-stone complexes on the northern slope of the Maiella. The 90-kilometer Cammino di Celestino also passes through Manoppello. The two routes offer different thematic perspectives: one features dry-stone structures, while the other is a longer route that passes through the town. Trail conditions can change, so check the current situation before setting out on your hike.

The remains of the ancient monastery of San Pietro stand on a hill overlooking the Vallebona Valley, within the municipality. A footpath to the remains starts at Piana del Legname, where there is also an equipped picnic area. The remains of San Pietro continue to be a pilgrimage destination for the faithful from Carovilli. Arboreto Giancarlo Cipressi comprises 90 trees and shrubs, each belonging to a different species.

Crafts and Local Products

Manoppello has two artisan workshops that produce ceramics and objects made from Majella stone. Extra virgin olive oil and wine are considered local specialties. The olive oil is produced by small and medium-sized businesses in the municipality at local oil mills. Alongside the churches, buildings, and trails, you can also find tangible examples of local craft and product traditions to consider when choosing the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Cepagatti, Serramonacesca, Castellana, Corvara, Alanno, Collecorvino, Lettomanoppello, Picciano

For the overview of the wider area: Pescara.