Penne: the Abruzzese village overlooking the Tavo River

Penne, an ancient city of Abruzzo, rises majestically on a hill dominating the valley of the Tavo River.

Originally called Pinna Vestinorum by the Romans, the name means “height” and refers to the four hills on which the city of the Vestini, an Osco-Umbrian people, developed. Founded in the 6th–5th century BC, it resisted the Roman invasion in 326 BC but was later conquered. In 89 BC it became a Roman city with temples dedicated to Vesta and Ceres. In 771 it became a bishopric and received donations from Charlemagne. It later passed under the Normans, Swabians, Angevins, and the Farnese, who made it the capital of the Farnese state. It was occupied by the French in 1798 and took part in the Carbonari uprisings in 1814.

What to see in Penne

The historic center of Penne, located on two panoramic hills, can be visited starting from Porta Santa Croce with its nearby church and small square. Along Corso dei Vestini stand the 17th-century Church of Santa Chiara, the small Church of San Ciro, and important Renaissance brick palaces such as Palazzo Scorpione and Palazzo De Dura. Notable is the Collegiate Church of San Giovanni Evangelista with its Lombard-style bell tower.

Continuing on, one encounters Palazzo Stefanucci, the Palazzo del Giustiziere, and the Aliprandi family chapel with its diamond-point stone portal. Piazzetta XX Settembre and nearby Piazza Luca da Penne host the richly decorated Church of San Domenico and the baroque palaces Leopardi and Gaudiosi.

The Church of the Annunziata is one of the most beautiful 18th-century buildings in Abruzzo, while the monumental Porta San Francesco represents the main entrance to the village. The route culminates at the Cathedral, with Romanesque origins, its 9th-century crypt, and the museum of sacred art, and ends at the Church of Sant’Agostino with its 15th-century tower and 18th-century interiors.

Events, culture and traditions

Penne offers a calendar of events that enlivens the village throughout the year. In July, Jazz and Wine brings live music and tastings to the evocative setting of the G.B. Leopardi Archaeological Museum. Also in July, the Notturna Pennese, an international running race, winds through the historic center, engaging both athletes and spectators. In August, in the hamlet of Roccafinadamo, the Sagra dei Maccheroni della Trebbiatura celebrates peasant cuisine and rural traditions.

Between September and November, culture takes center stage with the International Narrative Prize Città di Penne, one of Italy’s most prestigious literary awards. During the Christmas season, from December to January, the historic center is transformed with the Exhibition of Artistic Nativity Scenes, set up in churches and palaces, and with Natale Vestino, a festival of shows, meetings, and entertainment for all ages. A unique mix of music, sport, tradition, and art makes Penne vibrant all year round.

What to see around Penne

The area surrounding Penne is a paradise for lovers of nature and history. The green hills and trails of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park offer opportunities for excursions through woods and breathtaking landscapes.