Civitacampomarano, the village in the heart of the Vallone Grande

The small village of Civitacampomarano, despite its reduced population, boasts a rich historical, cultural, and natural heritage. The town rises on a tuff promontory at 520 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Vallone Grande, crossed by the homonymous left tributary of the lower Biferno, and surrounded by wheat fields and centuries-old olive groves.

The municipal territory extends over about 4,000 hectares, with an altitude ranging from the 930 meters of Mount Andrea down to the 300 meters of the Vallone Grande, characterized by woods, springs, small lakes, and streams.

What to see in the village

 The Angevin Castle, whose construction dates back to the 13th century, is the main monument of the village and stands on a sandstone ridge in the heart of the town. Its plan is quadrangular, with three cylindrical towers at the corners: two are perfectly preserved, while the third, partially destroyed over time, has been rebuilt. In the past, the castle was surrounded by a moat, which from the late 15th century separated it from the western city walls.

Near the castle once stood the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, which collapsed in 1903; its baptismal font and entrance door, of great artistic value, were recovered and transferred to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

The Church of San Giorgio Martire dominates the Cavatella ravine, standing on a high sandstone spur of over 100 meters. Probably built in the late Romanesque period, it features a rectangular façade ending in a triangular upper section, where a bas-relief depicting Saint George on horseback is placed.

What to see around the village 

The surroundings of Civitacampomarano also offer historical and tourist attractions not to be missed. Worth mentioning is the small village of Sant’Angelo Limosano, which offers spectacular views overlooking the Tremiti Islands and the peaks of the Maiella. Also noteworthy is the nearby village of Trivento, entirely built in stone: its symbolic landmark is the Stairway of San Nicola, composed of 365 steps, one for each day of the year. Along the way are the most important buildings of the town. The stairway leads to the upper part of the village, connecting the square to the historic center.

Not to be forgotten is also the countryside of Roccavivara, which hosted settlements in ancient Roman times, both during the Republican and Imperial periods.

Cover photo credits: studioanghifoto