#Italiaontheroad: Welcome to Sulmona!

Foto: Welcometosulmona.com

We present you a new episode of our #Italiaontheroad series, the Noleggioauto.it initiative promoting Italy as a top-notch travel destination. This new episode brings us to Sulmona, ‘the prettiest city in Abruzzo’, supported and escorted by the english language website Welcome to Sulmona (Facebook, Twitter). For the occasion, we will post a couple of “twin articles”, one in english and one in italian. Are you ready to come and visit Sulmona with us? Let’s go!

 

 

On the road: what are the must-see places around Sulmona by car?

Sulmona sits in a wide valley at 400m above sea level and is surrounded by a ring of spectacular mountains. All around the edge of the ‘Conca’ there are a number of charming little villages perched up on the hillside overlooking Sulmona itself. These include Pacentro, Bugnara, Introdacqua, Prezza and Roccacasale. The view looking up from the valley floor is just as special as that looking down from the villages. Take the time to explore both.

Sulmona
Il tesoro della Badia Morronese

The expert suggests: a hidden gem only known by locals!

5 km outside of Sulmona, at Badia, is the Abbey of Santo Spirito al Morrone. Founded in the first half of the 13th century by Pietro da Morrone – the Benedictine Monk who founded the Celestinian order and who later became Pope – it was rebuilt after the 1706 earthquake in the Baroque style. It is made up principally of a monumental church and a monastery articulated around five internal courtyards. It is open every morning Monday to Friday and you can park right outside. Tickets are €4 each and include a guided tour.

Advice on traffic: what are Sulmona whereabouts’ most scenic roads and what are the most congested?

The road trip to Scanno via the villages of Anversa, Castrovalva and Villalago, and the lake entitled the Lago di San Domenico, is breathtaking. Take the detour up the very steep and winding road to Castrovalva for a panorama that stretches for miles. The journey takes about 45 minutes from Sulmona without stops or all day if you choose to enjoy each place along the way. Scanno itself is a jewell and in many ways untouched by modernisation.

Note that Sulmona has a ZTL which is strictly enforced. When the system is in operation, unauthorised vehicles are forbidden from entering the historic centre between 10.30am and 13.00 and then again between 17.30 and 01.00. Don’t worry though as there are plenty of places to park in and around the centre – we recommend the covered car park at Santa Chiara which is well signposted from all over town. This car park connects directly with the town’s principal square called Piazza Garibaldi.

Sulmona
Una panoramica da togliere il fiato. Foto: Associazione Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona

“If not now, when?”: what is the best time to visit Sulmona and its whereabouts?

Sulmona and the Valle Peligna have lots to offer year round however Easter and the period of the Giostra Cavalleresca at the end of July / beginning of August are particularly special – see below. Really any time of year is good here. In the winter the closest ski slopes are under an hour away and the Adriatic coast in the other direction offers a wealth of different beach options in the summer.

Sulmona
La Madonna che Scappa. Foto: Luca del Monaco

Customs and traditions: what are Sulmona’s best traditional festivals?

The Easter celebrations start with the procession of the ‘Cristo Morto’ on Good Friday and finish with the unique ‘La Madonna Che Scappa in Piazza’ event on the morning of Easter Sunday. The Giostra Cavalleresca in the summer is a series of jousting tournaments featuring in turn the different neighbourhoods of Sulmona, the ‘Borghi Piu Belli d’Italia’ and a European Competition featuring visiting teams from abroad.

Sulmona
Il Pan dell’Orso è un dolce tipico di Sulmona. Foto: Welcometosulmona.com

Pic-nic: what are the must-try typical foods in Sulmona?

The traditional local cuisine is simple, peasant fare made from fresh, local ingredients and prepared according to recipes passed down over many generations. Try the arrositicini lamb skewers, chittara pasta served with meat sauce or ‘palotte cacio e ova’. Sulmona is especially famous for its ‘red garlic’ and for ‘confetti’ which are sugar-coated almond sweets

 

Last Offer: A feature that only Sulmona and no other Italian Region has

Sulmona offers a little bit of everything – traditional cooking, great wines, mountain views, Baroque architecture and an authentic way of life which has disappeared from other more popular regions.

#Italiaontheroad’s journey continues! We thank Welcome to Sulmona for accompanying us to the discovery of Sulmona. See you on Noleggioauto.it to plan your next trip and on our Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages to share and comment your impressions, itineraries and travel experiences … see you soon!

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