Castel del Monte, the village suspended over the Tirino Valley

The village of Castel del Monte, located among the Abruzzo mountains, owes its name to the toponym Castellum de Montis, which highlights its nature as a fortified settlement set into the mountain landscape. The first traces of life date back to the 11th century BC, with finds from the Italic necropolis in the plain south of the village. In the 4th century BC, the Romans built a pagus called the “City of the Three Crowns,” perhaps due to a triple fortification. The current Ricetto, the oldest core of the village, developed around the ancient watchtower, later transformed into a bell tower. Between the 13th and 18th centuries, Castel del Monte passed under the control of the Acquaviva, Sforza, Piccolomini, and Medici families, then the Bourbons, and finally became part of unified Italy, while preserving its historic atmosphere intact.

The treasures of Castel del Monte

Suspended between the peaks of the Gran Sasso and the Tirino Valley, Castel del Monte enchants with its medieval architecture and harmonious integration with the landscape. At the entrance stands the imposing bell tower, while ancient portals, arches, and windows tell the story of a settlement designed for defense. The tower-houses, arranged along the main streets and connected by arches and vaults called sporti, create a maze of winding alleys leading to the heart of the village.

Among the main attractions are Porta San Rocco, the Church of San Rocco, the Governor’s Palace, Palazzo Colelli, and the churches of Santa Caterina, San Marco, and Madonna del Suffragio, with altars, gilded organs, and Baroque decorations.

The Piazzetta delle Mura evokes the daily life of the women of the castle, while the sporti and walls transformed into dwellings testify to the constructive ingenuity of past centuries. Climbing toward the mountain opens onto the vastness of Campo Imperatore, a high-altitude plateau, while the archaeological area of Colle San Marco preserves the remains of the ancient settlement. Castel del Monte is a village suspended between history, architecture, and nature, where every corner tells centuries of life and culture.

Events in Castel del Monte

The village of Castel del Monte hosts the summer program Castel d’Estate from July to September, rich in traditions and folk festivals. On August 5, the Campo Imperatore Sheep Fair takes place, with flocks, blessings and awards for the animals, choirs, and pastoral markets. On August 6–7, the Feast of San Donato, the town’s patron saint, combines processions with an all-night vigil. Other August events include the Torchlight Procession of Santa Maria Assunta (14th), the Feast of San Rocco (16th), and the Night of the Witches (17–18), offering historical reenactments and folklore. In September, the Madonna dei Pastori celebrates the rites of transhumance. In December, Borgo innevato returns, a charming Christmas event.

photo credits leoks