Cologna Paese – Culture and Landscape on the Tordino

Cologna Paese preserves a distinctive rural character and offers several clearly identifiable cultural and historical themes. The landscape, church, archaeological finds, and Fontana Romana di Cologna Paese offer different points of interest for your stay. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Cologna Paese, these highlights can help you decide in advance whether you are most interested in the townscape, architecture, or local history.

Rural setting on the Tordino

The town lies on the right bank of the Tordino River and overlooks the Tordino Valley. This brings together the direct connection to the river and the wider view across the valley in the description of the landscape. Its rural character is a defining part of the townscape and complements its artistic and cultural-historical themes. If, when planning your trip, you are more interested in the rural surroundings than in individual buildings, you can consider this aspect first.

Ceramic art at the Chiesa di San Nicola Vescovo

The Chiesa di San Nicola Vescovo has a structure dating back to the 17th century. Its façade features a large covering made of 150 ceramic tiles from Castelli. The precise number and the origin of the material make the ceramic decoration a clearly identifiable feature of the church. The church also houses a plaque of the “Croce delle Indulgenze,” granted by Pope Leo XIII in 1901. Alongside the older structure, there is therefore a ceramic work and a religious reference with a specific date. For travelers interested in architecture, the church’s age, materials, and papal grant offer different points of interest.

Archaeological traces from different eras

At the beginning of the 19th century, several Iron Age tombs were discovered in Cologna Paese. A Roman inscribed stone was also found in the valley overlooked by Cologna Paese. These two finds come from different periods and represent different types of discoveries: on one side are Iron Age tombs, and on the other, a stone bearing a Roman inscription. This contrast broadens the cultural and historical perspective beyond the buildings and offers two distinct topics for exploring the town’s past.

The Fontana Romana

The Fontana Romana di Cologna Paese is a rural fountain and, in its own way, a monumental structure. In 1992, members of the “Amici del Bosco” association from Cologna Paese cleared the Fontana Romana of earth and debris. This brings a historical mention together with a specific, dated step in its rediscovery. If you would like to include the Fontana Romana in your stay, check in advance whether a visit is possible.

A culinary tradition

The “De lu Stennmass” festival celebrates the authentic flavors of Teramo cuisine. The dishes on offer may vary from one edition to another. The 17th edition took place from July 22 to 26, 2026, in the historic center of Cologna Paese. The ongoing edition count points to a recurring local tradition; the edition mentioned has already taken place. If you would like to plan a trip around the festival, check the dates of the relevant edition in advance.

Discover more destinations: Valle San Giovanni, Colleluccio, Notaresco, Martinsicuro, Villa Lempa, Silvi, Colonnella, Cermignano

For the broader travel overview: Teramo.