From the Mountains to the Sea between Abruzzo and Marche
Happy Pagoda ViewGentlely set on a high hill near the Tronto river, the Colonnella area is located in the Val Vibrata in the province of Teramo and offers a splendid panorama that embraces the Apennines, the Gran Sasso, the Maiella and the Sibillini Mountains of the neighboring Marche. Unique places, straddling seas and mountains, to be discovered and loved.
Colonnella
Colonnella is a pretty town in the province of Teramo, a splendid ancient village that belongs to the Union of Municipalities of Val Vibrata. It presents itself to the visitor with a remarkable historical centre, rich in an invaluable cultural and artistic heritage. Its origins are not clear, even if there are archaeological traces of the Roman period scattered throughout the territory and among them the best preserved are certainly the ancient Roman cisterns.
There are many symbols of this town in Abruzzo, both in terms of historical and religious buildings. As far as the latter are concerned, we cannot fail to mention the Church of Santi Cipriano e Giustina and that of San Giovanni Battista. Colonnella is a lively place full of events of all kinds, the main ones taking place during the summer season. It begins with the 2nd Sunday of July with the Feast of Maria Santissima del Suffragio – Festa dei Manoppi. Since time immemorial it has been by far the most heartfelt religious festival by the Colonellese population.
In the morning, accompanied by the explosion of mortars, the musical band and the folk groups in costume accompany the "carrate": these are ancient agricultural carts, pulled by white oxen, on which reproduced various sculptures with a sacred theme. This tradition, which can be traced back to the ancestral rites of thanksgiving after the harvest, was born from the custom of the large landowners of the town (the Volpi, the Barnabei, the Catenacci, the Crescenzi, the Flaiani) to contribute in kind to the needs of the feast and of the parish .
Credit: YesAbruzzoPhoto: Comune di Colonnella
Village of Colonnella
Colonnella (TE) is a village gently nestled on a high hill near the Tronto river.
The area offers a splendid panorama that embraces the entire chain of the Apennines, from the Sibillini Mountains to the Gran Sasso d'Italia up to the Maiella with a 360-degree view of the sea.
The historic center, reachable via a long and characteristic staircase, symbol of the town, winds through small alleys, medieval palaces and suggestive squares and preserves the original architectural layout of the High Middle Ages
Credit: Fondoambiente.itPhoto: Fondoambiente.it
Road of Wine
Tasting itineraries are becoming increasingly popular and the province of Teramo is particularly known for its hilltop villages surrounded by vineyards. In this article we will take you on the Strada del Vino Controguerra.
In Abruzzo, and throughout Italy as regards, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC reigns supreme. Montepulciano Colline Teramane DOCG has been recognized on the Teramo hills since 2003.
The journey begins in the small town of Colonnella (a few kilometers inland from the Teramo coast). At an altitude of 300 meters, it offers a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area. Colonnella-teramo-abruzzo-staircase The historic center dates back to the Middle Ages although most of the monuments date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. It is most famous for its Scalinata, an imposing staircase in the historic center built between the 1920s and 1930s. Two Roman cisterns can also be visited.
Credit: magazine.dooid.itPhoto: magazine.dooid.it
Road of Lake
The hilly route that you cross is very suggestive and leads straight into the heart of these lands which are so fertile and precious for our territory. The panorama that appears as you go up is worthy of the best postcards: countryside, expanses of vineyards and olive groves, the inevitable view of the sea and lastly, certainly not least, the various lakes that give the scenic route its name.
These bodies of water are located lower than the level of the main road and are not very large in size. Perhaps unknown to most, they are certainly well known to lovers of fishing or relaxing picnics.
Continuing among the immense expanses of olive groves and vineyards you reach Colonnella and, from there, you continue first across the ridge that dominates the whole Tronto valley, then, going even further towards the hinterland, you cross the perhaps best known Strada del Vino in Controguerra.
Credit: Val Vibrata LifePhoto: Val Vibrata Life