Photo of Celano

Visit Celano

Celano is a hill top town dominated by the huge Piccolomini castle. The town rises above the Fucino valley with views over the Sirente mountains.

Explore Celano

Celano's main attraction is the Piccolomini castle which sits at the heart of the town on the top of the hill. It is a huge rectangular building with large square towers at each of its corners and the building is surrounded by large defensive walls.

Celano castle

The castle dominates views over the valley below and with its backdrop of mountains makes for a picturesque view.

Building of Piccolomini castle began in the late 14th century and was finished around half a century later. The castle suffered serious damage during the earthquake of 1915. The earthquake caused lots of damage in the area, destroyed several villages and killed thousands. Restoration of the castle began 25 years later but came to a halt during the second world war. It was finally completed in the 1960s.

You can visit the castle as it is home to the Museum of Sacred Art of the Marsica (The Marsica is the name of the surrounding area) and the Celano Archaeological museum. Exhibits include iron-age armour and examples of the fishing tridents used when the Fucino lake still existed.

The Fucino valley below was once the third biggest lake in Italy but it was drained in the 19th century and is now a very fertile valley. Interestingly the draining of the lake was wrongly blamed by some people for the 1915 earthquake which was the biggest earthquake the area had seen at the time.

A wander round the town reveals a number of churches including three with with thirteenth century facades.

Attractions Nearby

Walkers will want to do the trek through the Gorge of Celano (the Gole di Celano) which is an attractive 5km long gorge which is only 3m wide in places.

L'Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region is nearby and is home to a number of important buildings and artworks but sadly the earthquake of 2009 devastated the city and major repairs and reconstruction are still underway.

You can find more local travel ideas in the Abruzzo guide.

See also: 

Map of Celano and places to visit

 
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Celano places to visit

Ovindoli

Ovindoli

Ovindoli is a popular ski resort in the Apennine mountains in Central Italy.

Ovindoli guide
Navelli

Navelli

Navelli is a beautiful hill village famous for its saffron

Navelli guide
Anversa degli Abruzzi

Anversa degli Abruzzi

Anversa degli Abruzzi is a beautiful village in a stunning location overlooking a gorge.

Anversa degli Abruzzi guide
Santo Stefano di Sessanio

Santo Stefano di Sessanio

Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a beautiful village that has been lovingly restored and retains its original character.

Santo Stefano di Sessanio guide
Sulmona

Sulmona

One of the highlights of Abruzzo with beautiful squares and fine palazzos. It was also the birthplace of Ovid, the celebrated Roman poet of ancient times.

Sulmona guide
Scanno

Scanno

A beautiful village with the added bonus of Scanno Lake and Sagittarius Gorge nearby.

Scanno guide

...or see all our recommended places to visit in Abruzzo

 
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