Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Maiella National Park (Italy). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Grotta del Cavallone, Abbey of the Holy Spirit at Monte Morrone, and Abbey of San Martino in Valle. Also, be sure to include Hermitage of Sant'Angelo in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Maiella National Park (Abruzzo).
Table of Contents
Grotta del Cavallone
Tourist attraction in Italy. The Grotta del Cavallone, also known as the Grotta della Figlia di Jorio, is a cave located near Lama dei Peligni, in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy. It is open during the warmer months; an admission fee is charged.[1]
Abbey of the Holy Spirit at Monte Morrone
Also known as: Badia Morronese
Monastery in Badia, Italy. The Abbey of the Holy Spirit at Morrone, known by various titles, is a former monastery some five kilometers outside of the town of Sulmona, at the base of Monte Morrone, in the Province of L'Aquila, region of Abruzzo, Italy.[2]
Address: Via Badia, 28, 67039 Badia-bagnaturo
Abbey of San Martino in Valle
Also known as: Abbazia di San Martino in Valle
Abbey in Italy. Abbazia di San Martino in Valle is a medieval abbey in Fara San Martino, Province of Chieti.[3]
Hermitage of Sant'Angelo
Also known as: Grotta Sant'Angelo
Tourist attraction in Italy. Eremo di Sant'Angelo is an hermitage located in Palombaro, Province of Chieti.[4]
Hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio
Also known as: Eremo di San Bartolomeo in Legio
Place of worship in Italy. Eremo di San Bartolomeo in Legio is an hermitage located in Roccamorice, Province of Pescara, in the Abruzzo region of Italy.[5]
Address: Località Vallone di S. Spirito, 65020 Roccamorice
Maiella
Also known as: Majella
Massif in Italy. The Maiella is a massif in the Central Apennines, in Abruzzo, central Italy.[6]
Hermitage of San Michele Arcangelo
Also known as: Eremo di San Michele Arcangelo
Catholic church in Italy. Eremo di San Michele Arcangelo is an hermitage located in Pescocostanzo, Province of L'Aquila.[7]
Address: Contrada Pedicagna, 67033 Pescocostanzo
Hermitage of Saint Anthony
Also known as: Eremo di Sant'Antonio
Church in Italy. Eremo di Sant'Antonio is an hermitage located in Pescocostanzo, Province of L'Aquila.[8]
Address: Via del Colle, 67033 Pescocostanzo
Hermitage of San Giovanni all'Orfento
Also known as: Eremo di San Giovanni all'Orfento
Place of worship in Italy. Eremo di San Giovanni all'Orfento is an hermitage located in Caramanico Terme, Province of Pescara.[9]
Montagne del Morrone
Mountain range in Italy. The Montagne del Morrone are a mountain group in Abruzzo, central Italy, part of the Apennines. Overlooking the town of Sulmona, they are bounded by the Valle Peligna, the river Aterno and the Majella massif. They are included into the Majella National Park.
The range is composed of limestone, and have their highest peak in the Monte Morrone (2,061 m).
Vegetation include typical Apennine woods of beech and mountain pine, as well as the rare orchid species Nigritella widderi. Wildlife include Marsican brown bear, italian wolf, mouflon, red deer, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, Eurasian eagle-owl and Ursini's viper. Until the early 20th century, the bearded vulture was also present.
On a terrace of Mount Morrone are the remains of a Roman villa which allegedly belonged to the poet Ovid, which have been recently recognized as a sanctuary of Hercules Curinus. Here was found a small statue of Hercules resting, considered by some an original by Lysippos (now in the Archaeological Museum of Chieti). Nearby is the 13th century Morronese Abbey. In the mountain are also two caves in which the future Pope Celestine V lived his hermitage from 1239 and 1241.[10]
Hermitage of Sant'Onofrio al Morrone
Also known as: Eremo di Sant'Onofrio al Morrone
Place of worship in Italy. Eremo di Sant'Onofrio al Morrone is an hermitage located in Sulmona, Province of L'Aquila. dating back to the thirteenth century. A monk by the name of Pietro Angelerio living at this hermitage later became Pope Celestine V. The hermitage is located at an altitude of 620 meters, and can only be reached via a steep path from the village of Badia, on the eastern edge of the Valle Peligna.[11]