Location: Province of L'Aquila
Top Things to do in Province of L'Aquila
Top Restaurants in Province of L'Aquila
Countries
The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo
The Province of L'Aquila (Provincia dell'Aquila) is the largest, most mountainous and least densely populated province of the Abruzzo region of Southern Italy. It comprises about half the landmass of Abruzzo and occupies the western part of the region. It has borders with the provinces of Teramo to the north, Pescara and Chieti to the east, Isernia (in Molise region) to the south and Frosinone, Rome and Rieti (in Lazio region) to the west. Its capital is the city of L'Aquila. The Province of L'Aquila includes the highest mountains of the Apennines (Gran Sasso, Maiella and Velino-Sirente), their highest peak, Corno Grande, the high plain of Campo Imperatore, and Europe's southernmost glacier, the Calderone. The province's major rivers are the Aterno-Pescara, Sangro, Liri, Salto, and the Turano; its major lakes are Lago Scanno and Lago Barrea. It once included the largest lake on the Italian peninsula, Lago Fucino, which was drained in one of the 19th century's largest engineering projects. The lake basin is today a flourishing agricultural area and an important technological district.
Restaurants in Province of L'Aquila
1. Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo - MUNDA
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 273 reviews
Reviewed By anthonybT8926ZJ
This museum is a treasure, with a large collection of art from the Middle Ages to modern times, in it's beautifully-displayed rooms. This structure is not the permanent housing for these hundreds of paintings, sculptures and jewelry, all of which were brought from the 16th-century Castle of L’Aquila that was heavily damaged in the 2009 earthquake. Few visitors were in this large, modern museum when we arrived. After my wife and I had spent 2 hours enjoying every piece we saw, a guide (Carmine Santorelli) came to us after seeing how interested we were and he led us on a guided tour. He explained the history and culture of the region and how the artwork differed from other locations and times; the breast-feeding Virgin Mary's; the hidden figures in many religious paintings that symbolized the distrust the artists (an others) felt for powerful religious figures of the times. His 40+ years of museum experience were truly evident in his passionate explanations of what we saw.
2. Chiesa di Santa Maria in Valle Porclaneta
3. Oratorio di San Pellegrino
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By Madgnats - Stuttgart, Germany
At the suggestion of our property manager, we visited this 8th century hidden gem. The chapel is kept locked and you must call the number on the gate and a guide will arrive in 5 minutes to take you into the chapel and onto the grounds to visit the other buildings. The artwork inside is amazing and colorful, and is in the local traditional art form of the area. The chapel is a work of art and expression and something you won't want to miss.
4. Centro Storico di Castel Del Monte
5. Medieval Village of Pacentro
6. Rocca Calascio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,451 reviews
Reviewed By Madgnats - Stuttgart, Germany
Zig-zagging up the steep mountainside provides amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valley below. Parking is available nearby so only slight uphill walking is necessary to get into the quaint town below the castle ruins. Climbing even higher to the castle ruins gives a 360 degree panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and a realistic taste of the architecture and lifestyle of long ago. Behind the castle is a chapel and a peek into the window gives a great view of art work and statues inside. A friendly street vendor is available to sell souvenirs. Rocca Calascio is well worth the uphill hike, and something you won't want to miss.
