9804 Two delicious experiences - Bominaco & Gole del Sagittario

I had two absolutely great Abruzzo experiences this week so I thought I'd share!

[B]Bominaco - 2 breathtaking churches and a castle[/B]
Bominaco is a village off the west side of the Navelli valley (the one that runs between Popoli and L'Aquila). You're already is lovely scenery just getting there, but it's worth driving right up to Bominaco (follow the signs for Caporciano off the main Popoli_L'Aquila road). In Bominaco is a castle and two churches - the remains of a monastic settlement started by Charlemagne. Apart from gorgeous mediaeval carving, the place is famous for having one of the world's most complete fresco cycles from that period (10th-12th centuries). And they are wonderfully vibrant - both in the colours and in the stories they tell. I particularly liked the "instructional" pictures of hell!

[B]Gole del Sagittario - a hike in the footsteps of M C Escher[/B]
The Gole del Sagittario is a small natural reserve on the river Sagittario. It's leafy surrounds make it a perfect picnic spot. It's found directly under the borgo of Anversa degli Abruzzi (between Autostrada exit Cocullo and Sulmona, and near Scanno). Just take any of the routes downhill from the centre of Anversa and you'll find it signposted. After our picnic we followed the "Sentiero geologico" up to Castrovalva (the ridgetop village immortalized by M C Escher). It's a steep walk, but you'd be hard pressed to find a prettier one. It eventually loops round and back to the picnic area. All in all, the walk took about 2.5 hours, at a reasonable pace.

I liked Bominaco so much that I'm determined to bring other folk back to see it. It's a bit tricky to get in - you have to call a local who walks up with the key(!), but they can do guided visits for larger groups. I'd like to get an English speaking group together at, say, end July. Maybe take a picnic up there, explore all three sites, chance to socialise with other expats over a glass of Montepulciano... Any takers? :smile: