Castelli: Ceramic Culture and Mountain Landscape

Castelli combines a distinctive ceramic tradition with a striking location. The built-up area lies on a rocky spur that has been deeply eroded by the Rio and Leomogna streams. The rock face of Monte Camicia rises above the town, ending at Fondo della Salsa with a difference in elevation of almost 1,000 metres. This brings together the town’s cultural history and a clearly identified mountain setting.

Ceramics and Local History

Castelli is internationally known for its traditional artistic ceramic production. Active artisan ceramic workshops can still be found in many parts of the town. For visitors with a particular interest in maiolica, these workshops add to the picture of a place where ceramics are not just part of the past.

The Museo delle Ceramiche was established by a regional law dated 24 January 1984. Its aim is to promote the culture and art of maiolica, as well as to preserve and display works from Castelli’s ceramic production, which developed over centuries. The museum is housed in a Franciscan monastery dating from the mid-16th century. Here, the history of the building meets the story of local ceramic production.

An old artisan workshop has been reconstructed in the museum. Visitors can see how clay is prepared and shaped, how it is glazed and decorated, and a reproduction of a traditional “Forno a respiro” ceramic kiln. The exhibition therefore shows not only ceramics as finished works, but also individual stages of their production—from the raw material to the surface decoration.

Another place to see maiolica is the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista. Built in 1601, the church houses a maiolica altarpiece by Francesco Grue dating from 1647. The church and museum offer different points of interest: the church contains the dated altarpiece, while the museum also focuses on the making and preservation of ceramics.

Landscape and Things to Do

One named way to explore the surrounding area on foot is the “From Castelli to Fondo della Salsa” walk. Listed as a walking excursion, it leads, as its title indicates, from Castelli to Fondo della Salsa, where the rock face of Monte Camicia also ends. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Wildlife is another part of the area’s natural character: protected fauna around Castelli includes wild boar and buzzards. This adds another aspect of the landscape to the town’s cultural attractions, without focusing on any one particular experience.

For travel by car, the Colledara / San Gabriele exit is a useful reference point. Castelli is 13 kilometres from this exit on the A24 Roseto–Rome–L’Aquila–Teramo motorway.

If you are looking for a hotel in Castelli, you can first consider what you want to focus on during your stay: ceramic production, the museum and the church offer a cultural focus, while the named walking route and mountain setting provide a different emphasis. These specific features can help you choose your destination.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Cesi, Ripoli, Bisenti, Rocca Santa Maria, Intermesoli, Cerchiara, Mutignano, Valle Castellana.

See the main travel overview: Teramo.