Discover Ancarano

Ancarano is best explored through its historic townscape, distinctive gates and churches with varied architectural and artistic features. If you are interested in architecture, religious art or local traditions, you will find several specific points of interest here. The historic town center retains the layout of the reconstruction carried out in the 16th and 17th centuries; numerous buildings from this period stand along narrow, winding streets. The streets themselves are part of the town’s historic character.

Gates and their architectural details

Porta da Mare opens to the east, on the side facing the Adriatic Sea. Its pointed arch, made of travertine blocks, is a distinctive feature of the gate. Porta da Monte faces west toward the Monti Sibillini, the Monti della Laga and the Gran Sasso. The two gates can therefore be distinguished by their orientation. Porta da Monte also retains openings through which the chains of a drawbridge once passed, as well as corbels. These details offer a glimpse into the gate’s former construction.

Churches: architecture, art and history

The churches offer different points of interest to explore. Madonna della Misericordia has an octagonal floor plan and was built in 1628. At Madonna della Carità, the exterior, including the bell tower and portal, dates approximately to 1790. The floor plan and construction date are the main features of Madonna della Misericordia, while at Madonna della Carità it is the approximate date of the exterior design. The church of Madonna della Pace houses a wooden statue of the Madonna and Child, a work by Silvestro dall’Aquila from 1489.

San Rocco and the Torre Campanaria also tell different stories. The construction of the church of San Rocco is associated with the plague and famine crisis that struck Italy in the first decades of the 16th century. The Torre Campanaria is the surviving part of the old parish church of Santa Maria, which already existed in the 12th century. These two places thus offer, on the one hand, a church associated with a time of crisis and, on the other, a surviving part of a church building that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Fonte Monsignore adds a note on the historic water supply to the churches and gates: the old cistern was used to collect spring water for drinking.

Local festive traditions

Culinary traditions include Li tailì de la Madonna, a traditional specialty from Ancarano prepared on the feast day of Madonna della Pace. Organized events also play a role: Pro Loco Ancarano organizes the Sagra Enogastronomica. Together with the municipality, it also helps revive traditions and folklore events such as the Canestrelle. If you would like to plan your trip around an event, check the dates and programs in advance.

Practical information for visiting the church

When planning a visit to Madonna della Misericordia, bear in mind that access to the interior may be restricted. A notice from the municipality dated February 5, 2025, reported that the interior was closed because of an earthquake. Check whether the interior is accessible before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Tortoreto, Colleranesco, Castelnuovo Vomano, Mosciano Sant'angelo, Colleluccio, Castilenti, Isola del Gran Sasso D'italia, Montone.

For the broader travel guide: Teramo.