Gran Sasso National Park: a paradise to discover

Among the characteristics that make the Bel Paese (Italy) unique and fascinating, not only in the eyes of scholars, is its territorial complexity. Analyzing the largest natural reserves in Italy, in terms of extension, we discover that the Gran Sasso National Park ranks third. Let's get into the details!

Gran Sasso National Park: A Territorial Uniqueness to Preserve

The Gran Sasso National Park was established in 1995 and extends for about 141,341 hectares. It is located almost entirely in the Abruzzo region, but also occupies a small part of the Marches and Lazio.

The Gran Sasso d'Italia definitely strikes with its dense succession of peaks: over twenty peaks exceed the threshold of 2,000 meters in altitude, and the highest is the Corno Grande, which reaches 2,912 meters above sea level.

But that's not all: another peculiarity of Gran Sasso is that it hosts one of the southernmost glaciers in Europe: the Calderone Glacier.

In fact, this Park stands in a particularly complex geographical position: it is located in a territory that acts as a watershed between the Euro-Siberian region and the Mediterranean region, and boasts a massive flora and fauna thanks to the morphological diversity that characterizes this area: mountaineering routes, plateaus, prairies, forests, rocky walls—there are many options that can satisfy all visitors to the Park.

About 2,300 species of higher plants live in the Gran Sasso National Park, which corresponds to over a third of the entire Italian flora, and 14 species of amphibians, including four species of newts.

Thanks to this biodiversity, the Park offers authentic and prized local products such as L'Aquila saffron, with its fascinating blooming, or L'Aquila legumes, chestnuts, meats, and cheeses with honey.

All these factors contribute to the creation of a territorial reality unique in its kind: the Park was thus created with the intention of safeguarding it, but also of protecting centuries-old traditions. These areas, in fact, also host ancient urban settlements, true fortified villages that serve as a window to the past, and many of them are part of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.

(Photo by F. Bartolucci)

Places of Interest in the Park

Santo Stefano di Sessanio Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a medieval village located at 1,250 meters of altitude in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy and stands out for its architectural harmony perfectly integrated with the mountain landscape. The preservation of the historic center was favored by the depopulation of the twentieth century and by a sustainable development project launched in 2002 with the "Charter of Values," signed by the Municipality, the Park Authority, and the Sextantio company, promoter of the albergo diffuso (scattered hotel).

Arising between the 11th and 12th centuries on the remains of the Roman pagus of Sextantio, the village enjoyed a strategic position along important commercial and pastoral routes over the centuries, such as the Via Claudia Valeria and the Tratturo regio (royal sheep track).

It was a possession of the Piccolomini family and then the Medici, under whom it experienced a period of maximum splendor thanks to the production and trade of "carfagna" wool. After entering the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, it passed to the property of the King of Naples until the Unification of Italy. The village has an ellipsoidal shape with tower-houses and concentric streets that develop around the Medici Tower, the symbol of local power, now undergoing reconstruction after the 2009 earthquake. Among the notable monuments are the church of S. Stefano Protomartire (14th-15th century), the church of the Madonna del Lago (17th century), the Casa del Capitano, and various fifteenth-century dwellings with loggias and carved portals.

(Photo by M. Anselmi) Today, Santo Stefano is a model of cultural and sustainable tourism, frequented by artists and hosting events such as concerts by the "Officina Musicale" ensemble, exhibitions, and festivals. The main events include the patron saint festival of S. Stefano and S. Isidoro (August 2-3), the Summer in the Village (Estate nel Borgo) (August), the Lentil Festival (Sagra della lenticchia) (September), and numerous classical music concerts.

The Santo Stefano Lentil, a Slow Food Presidium, is renowned for its quality: small, dark, rich in iron, tender, and intensely flavored, it is used in soups, with sausages, potatoes, or handmade pasta. Local cuisine also highlights lamb from the Campo Imperatore plateau, cheeses like Canestrato di Castel del Monte, and Navelli saffron. Traditional desserts include ferratelle (waffle cookies), almond sweets, and the pasticcio degli dei (Gods' pie) with saffron cream.

Campotosto The Municipality of Campotosto, divided into four hamlets (Campotosto Capoluogo, Mascioni, Poggio Cancelli, and Ortolano), offers an unspoiled landscape to those who choose to spend their holidays in absolute tranquility. The first historical records date back to the 13th century, while in the 14th century the territory was involved in disputes between L'Aquila and Amatrice. At the end of the 15th century, a dispute broke out over the control of the Pedicino area, resolved in 1604 by the Naples court in favor of L'Aquila.

In the 16th century, Charles V of Habsburg ceded the fiefdom of Amatrice (and thus also Campotosto) to the Orsini family. After various transfers and earthquakes, in the 18th century, Campotosto became the largest and most populous center of the Amatrice county, beginning to govern itself autonomously. At the end of the century, it became a Central Municipality, with the annexation of Mascioni and Poggio Cancelli (formerly part of Montereale) and, subsequently, also the village of Ortolano, in the upper Aterno valley.

Lake Campotosto, located at 1,300 m a.s.l., was initially a common pasture, but with the discovery of peat (used as fuel) in 1887/88, the basin became a mine, and the Ponte delle Stecche (Bridge of the Stakes) was built to facilitate connections with L'Aquila. Excavations continued until 1924. In 1939, work began on the construction of the Poggio Cancelli, Sella Pedicate, and Rio Fucino dams, which led to the creation of the artificial Lake Campotosto, one of the most important in Europe, fed by the courses of the Rio Fucino, Vomano, and Trontino, and capable of producing energy for about five hydroelectric power plants.

(Photo by M. Anselmi) The Municipality has about 660 inhabitants and is located at an altitude of 1,420 meters a.s.l. The lake allows for various activities such as birdwatching, surfing, and sport and professional fishing (according to the current PDF regulation). Among the curiosities, the tradition of singing "Notte Silente" (Silent Night) is celebrated on January 5th in anticipation of the Epiphany, while on January 17th, for the feast of Saint Anthony, the song is repeated throughout the town.

The main events include: on July 2nd and the first Sunday of August, in Campotosto Capoluogo, the Festa della Santissima Maria Apparente (Feast of the Most Holy Apparent Mary), the patron saint of the town, is celebrated with a procession, mortar shots, and traditional songs; on August 15th, also in the capital, the Festa della Madonna dell'Assunta (Feast of the Assumption) is held; from August 10th to 20th, in Poggio Cancelli, the Patron Saint Festival of San Giorgio and Santa Maria takes place, during which "La Sposa Pojana" is performed, a popular re-enactment in ancient costume with dances and final celebrations.

Among the customs and traditions, a completely lean dinner is prepared at Christmas, based on Gnucchitti De Magro and sweet cod. In gastronomy, the traditional Baccalà della Sposa/o (Bride/Groom's Cod) stands out, served with anchovies, tuna, olives, and artichoke hearts, and accompanied by sweets, for weddings. The famous Mortadelle di Campotosto (also called Cojoni di Mulo) are another typical dish, along with Ciciaregli, a legume soup with water and flour pasta shaped like a chickpea. In Poggio Cancelli, frascarelli in brodo (broth pasta), sweet and sour cod (typical of Christmas), pecora alla cottora (sheep stew), spelt and beans, and sweet fried pizzas are tasted.

The Park is crossed by numerous rivers and streams. Among these, we remember the Tirino River, whose waters are among the clearest in Europe, allowing life for many animal and plant species. The Tirino Valley offers natural beauties that capture the attention of hikers.

The Habitats The Park involves two distinct biogeographical regions: "Euro-Siberian" and "Mediterranean". This particular location, together with the lithological diversity of the mountains and the high altitudes, makes this protected area a territory with a high biological richness. In fact, about 2,300 species of higher plants live in the Park, over one fifth of the entire European flora, and more than a third of the Italian floristic heritage. As for the animal kingdom, the case of amphibians is emblematic, present with as many as fourteen species, including, a unique case in Italy, four species of newts. Furthermore, the mountains of the Park constitute a veritable biogeographical threshold between the north and south of the Country; here, in fact, some Mediterranean species reach their northern distribution limit, while others, particularly plants and animals of Arctic-Alpine origin, reach their southern limit.

How to Reach the Park

By Car from North or South Italy (Adriatic Coast)

• Ascoli Piceno side - from the A14 Adriatica Motorway - San Benedetto del Tronto exit, continue on S.S. Salaria
• Teramo side - A14 Adriatica Motorway - Giulianova/Teramo exit, continue on S.S. 80
• Pescara side - A14 Adriatica Motorway - Pescara Nord exit - continue towards Gran Sasso / Penne / Farindola

By Car from Rome

• L'Aquila side - A24 Motorway of the Parks Rome L'Aquila - Assergi motorway exit.
• Teramo side, Colledara/San Gabriele exit.
• Pescara side, A25 Motorway Rome Pescara - Castiglione a Casauria motorway exit.

By Train

• From Pescara: Pescara, Giulianova, Teramo line, continue to the chosen destination by bus
• From Rome: Rome Pescara line, continue to the chosen destination by bus

By Bus

• From Rome:
  • Società Unica Abruzzese di Trasporto (TUA) - Rome L'Aquila Teramo Line - Rome Pescara Line - www.tuabruzzo.it - tel. 085.4960
  • START - Rome Ascoli Piceno Line - tel. 06/4460567
• All municipalities in the Park are served by regional bus lines departing from the provincial capitals. For information:
  • Abruzzo - Società Unica Abruzzese di Trasporto (TUA) - www.tuabruzzo.it - tel. 085.4960 - departing from L'Aquila or Teramo or Pescara
  • Marche (from San Benedetto del Tronto or Ascoli Piceno) - START - Toll-free number 800443040
  • Lazio - COTRAL - for Rieti - Toll-free number 800150008

By Plane

• Fiumicino Airport (Rome)
• Ciampino Airport (Rome)
• Abruzzo International Airport of Pescara
• Continue by car or bus

Don't miss the variety of attractions in the Park! For more information, visit the official website.

all photos are from the official website of the Gran Sasso National Park