Discover Vicoli: Castle Ruins, Churches and the Nora Valley

Vicoli sits on a hill overlooking the Nora River valley. The town combines a fortified past with churches, excursions into the river landscape and local specialties. When planning your trip, you can weigh up these different options: would you mainly like to explore historic buildings and the town’s history, take in the trails and landscape, or discover the local cuisine?

Castle Ruins and Churches in Vicoli

The ruins of a fortified castle date back to the 15th century. The castle was once surrounded by walls and protected by entrance gates. Today, its ruins shape the historic view of Vicoli; the walls and gates are part of the complex’s former layout.

The churches also tell different parts of the town’s story. The parish church of San Rocco stands in the main square of the newer part of town. It should not be confused with the simple Chapel of San Rocco, which contains a votive painting. The old church of San Vincenzo Ferrer was completed in the 18th century.

The Church of Madonna dei Cinghiali is in the Le Pietre district. Its distinctive floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross; this layout probably resulted from a later extension. Inside is a depiction of a wild boar’s head. The church’s name refers to this image, which is associated with local farming culture.

The Nora Valley, Nature and Trails

The Parco Territoriale Attrezzato di Vicoli was established in 1990. The riverside vegetation includes willows, poplars and downy oaks. The River Nora at Vicoli is home to trout, chub and barbel. The visitor centre in the old village provides information about various trails and the locations of the equipped areas. Check the local arrangements before your visit.

An old mule track leads from the old village through the Le Penne district down to the River Nora. The excursion to Fonte della Faina passes the Cascatella dell'acqua Scioppo, a waterfall about 40 metres high, and continues to an old spring with historic architecture dating from an unspecified period. The two sights give this excursion two distinct points of interest: the waterfall and the spring.

The Fiume Nora excursion leads to the remains of an old watermill. It also includes a tower that was used in the Middle Ages to send messages with torch signals. After crossing the River Nora, you can see the old Mulino Brandolini mill in its entirety. The Borgo Medievale excursion focuses on different structures: it leads to Fonte di Vicoli Vecchio, with its stone and brick features, the Grotte baronali and the Portareccia gate. These trails and sights therefore differ both in their landscapes and in their historical details.

Local Cuisine and Festival Dates

Cazzimperio is a local specialty made with Caciocavallo cheese, eggs and milk. The hot mixture is poured over slices of toasted bread. Incaporchiato lamb is another of Vicoli’s specialties. These dishes add a culinary point of interest to your trip planning alongside the churches and trails, without implying a particular place to eat.

The Festa del Santo Patrono – San Rocco, the patron saint’s festival, takes place on 16 August. The Festa della Madonna del Cinghiale takes place in September. If you would like to plan your trip around either festival, check the programme for your travel year in advance.

Discover more destinations: Farindola, Castellana, Sant'eufemia A Maiella, Serramonacesca, Lettomanoppello, Bolognano, Spoltore, Elice

For the broader travel overview: Pescara.