Calascio (Abruzzo)

Santa Maria della Pietà, an octagonal church in Calascio

Rocca Calascio, a mountaintop fortress in Calascio

Calascio is a comune and village in the province of L'Aquila, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park. One of the main sights in Calascio is Rocca Calascio, the highest fortress in the Apennines. Built of stone and masonry exclusively for military purposes and intended only to accommodate troops and never as residence for nobles, the fortress overlooks the Plain of Navelli at one of the highest points in the ancient Barony of Carapelle. Rocca Calascio was the location for several scenes in the Richard Donner film Ladyhawke. Sequences for The Name of the Rose and The American were also shot here. Near the fortress, at a slightly lower elevation, is Santa Maria della Pietà, an octagonal church built in the seventeenth century.

Abruzzo Highlights

Italy in Brief
Rose window of Santa Maria di Collemaggio
L’Aquila in Abruzzo Named Italian Capital of Culture for 2026

The announcement coincides with the forthcoming 15-year anniversary of a 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the town and surrounding areas in 2009. Mayor Pierluigi Biondi said that the title will aid in rebuilding the social fabric of the community. 

Italy in Brief
Reale
These are the Top Two Restaurants in Italy, According to Gambero Rosso

Chefs Massimo Bottura (Osteria Francescana) and Niko Romito (Reale) are tied for the top spot in the new 2024 guide from leading Italian food and wine publisher, Gambero Rosso.

Travel
Sunset view from Al Murè
48 Hours in Provincia di Chieti

With 48 hours to spend in Abruzzo’s most populated province, you can get a taste of village life, relax at the beach, and hike up to a castle in the mountains. Here’s how to do it all.

Partner Content
Casoli greenery
How the Little Town of Casoli Won the Hearts of Rai 3 (and the Rest of Italy)

Casoli’s recent placement in the Borgo dei Borghi contest is big news in this little hilltop town. We sat down with the staff of Palazzo Ricci, a fractional ownership club breathing new life into the borgo, to learn more. 

Partner Content
Palazzo Ricci Penthouse
This Season, Give a Gift That Lasts Forever With Fractional Ownership of Palazzo Ricci

Straddling mountains and sea, the unique location and history of this 18th-century palace makes it a fractional co-ownership opportunity with a difference. 

What you can't miss in Abruzzo

Where is Calascio

Top Experiences in Abruzzo

Best places to stay in Abruzzo

Properties for sale in Abruzzo

Palazzo Ricci Private Residence Club 11
Fractional ownership in Casoli
89500
Lounge
Apartment in Sulmona
149000
2 bed country house, 9000sqm of land, 200 meters to lively town and fabulous mountain views 0
Country Home - To Restore in Castel Frentano
19
Ruin of 200sqm with 1 hectare of land, amazing views in peaceful location 5 minutes to the beach. 1
Country Home - To Restore in San Vito Chietino
46
Stone, farm house of 100sqm with solar panels, 80sqm of outbuildings, nicely finished, 1500sqm of olive groves, peaceful panoramic position, need modernising. 0
Detached House in Pennadomo
100000
Detached, modern, town house with 300sqm of garden 140sqm of living space, 800 meters to the center, and castle and 15 km to the beach. 0
Detached House in Crecchio
130000
Stone town house of 100sqm in the old part of this mountain village with valley views 100sqm from main square. 0
Apartment in Civitaluparella
25000
Stone structure, town house of 100sqm with garden, terrace, cellars, amazing views, 200 meters to the center 0
Apartment in Casalanguida
12998

Recipes From Abruzzo

Recipes
pasta
Chitarrina or Fedelini with Tuna Ragù

The robustly flavored sauce relies on good pantry ingredients: the best-tinned tuna and anchovies you can procure, excellent capers, and high-quality canned (or home-canned) tomatoes. 

 

Recipes
Sice pizza dolce
Pizza Dolce Teramana: Layer Cake Specialty of Abruzzo

This show-stopper of a cake from Abruzzo has three layers of flavored sponge cake and two layers of rich custard for a decadent dessert.

Recipes
torcelli
Torcetti (or Ciambelline) al Vino: Ring-Shaped Cookies for When Guests Come Calling

These ring-shaped cookies, common in central and southern Italy, are made with olive oil and wine — perfect for setting out on the table with coffee or tea when guests drop by.

 

Recipes
Soffione di Ricotta
Soffione di Ricotta

In Abruzzo, the soffione is a traditional Easter dessert, though its growing popularity means you can now find it year-round in many bakeries throughout the region.

Recipes
saffron sagne e ceci
Sagne e Ceci: Abruzzese Pasta with Chickpeas

Legumes form the base for this Abruzzese country-style soup, a humble but delicious dish that uses not only the chickpeas, but also their cooking liquid, leaving nothing to waste.

more recipes

What others are saying about Abruzzo

@rbaines18 asks:

Ciao tutti,

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@ALIDANDREA asks:

BANK ACCOUNTS … Advice on best and cheapest ( charges) bank accounts for Italy.  Had a BPER account they were charging me €17 every couple of months just to have a debit card 😳.    Also about about saving accounts any thoughts.   Many thanks for any advice 😊👍🏻

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@pd.1965 asks:

Hi Guys,

We are purchasing a house in Abruzzo as a second home with a view we will stay for a month at a time as we would like to drive down from the UK. Calais, Reims, into Switzerland route. We would like to bring our two dogs with us and would welcome any tips. 

Thanks

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