Discover Sant'omero: churches, trails and traditions

Historic buildings, landscapes and local traditions shape Sant'omero on different scales. In the historic centre, narrow streets that slope downhill are part of the townscape; other traces of history can be found in various parts of the municipality.

Churches and traces of history

The Romanesque church of Santa Maria a Vico dates back to the 10th century. A temple stood on its site during the reign of Emperor Trajan; the “Decree of the Worshippers of Hercules,” which attests to this ancient connection, is built into the church. Thus, an ancient temple site and a Romanesque church occupy the same place, while the inscription links the two periods.

The former church of SS Annunziata now serves as a community hall for cultural events. Its façade dates from 1754 and features Baroque stylistic elements. Its furnishings include a wooden crucifix from the late 16th century, a Baroque organ and a Baroque wooden choir. The crucifix dates from a different period than the furnishings described as Baroque; the building therefore brings together several historical phases of furnishing.

Townscape and trails

A walk through the historic centre takes you along narrow streets that slope downhill. In the centre, a roadside barrier forms a viewpoint overlooking the valley below and the surrounding hills. The small-scale layout of the streets and the view across the wider landscape offer contrasting impressions of the town centre.

A municipal photo report from 2019 describes Via delle Pinciare as a cycling and walking path in the municipality. A municipal post from 2013 also mentions 34 kilometres that can be traversed on foot, by bicycle or on horseback through the municipality. The figures differ in scope: Via delle Pinciare refers to a path for walkers and cyclists, while the 34 kilometres cover the municipality and also include horseback riding. Before your trip, check the condition of Via delle Pinciare and the routes you plan to take.

Places and landscapes in the municipality

Remains of an ancient defensive wall have been preserved in Poggio Morello. The traditional “Ballo della Pupa” is performed there on the feast of Saint Lucy, on 13 December. The wall and the performance represent different aspects of the place: an ancient architectural trace and a local tradition with a fixed date. The church of San Michele Arcangelo is located in the village of Sant’Angelo Abbamano, on a hill in the area around Sant'omero.

In some stretches of the river landscape near Villa Ricci, flora and fauna of particular environmental interest have been preserved. A municipal post dated 20 July 2013 reported that European bee-eaters nest in Santa Maria a Vico. Numerous watermills remain in good condition throughout the municipality, adding another testament to local architectural history.

Local cuisine and events

The Sagra del Baccalà takes place every year. An announcement for the 2025 edition notes its official recognition as a “Sagra di Qualità” (Festival of Quality). If you are planning a trip around the festival, check the dates for the relevant edition.

Each cooking class at Villa Corallo lasts approximately two hours and is followed by a tasting of the freshly prepared dishes, accompanied by water, soft drinks and wine. The culinary experiences therefore differ in format: the Sagra is an annual event, while the cooking class has an approximate duration and is followed by a tasting.

Discover more destinations: Silvi, Cermignano, Castelli, Floriano, Scerne, Villa Rosa, Fano Adriano, Mosciano Sant'angelo

For the regional travel overview: Teramo.