Rocca Calascio: the mysterious castle

The Rocca Calascio is a suggestive fortified lookout tower located in Abruzzo , at about 1,400 meters above sea level, near Campo Imperatore and Santo Stefano di Sessanio . Until some tens of years ago a small village stretched around the fortress that was totally abandoned.

Since the 1980s Rocca Calascio and the surrounding village have been patiently recovered , and today it is possible to find here, among the many ruined houses, some renovated structures, where it is possible to stop or stay.

Rocca Calascio can be easily reached by car, even if inside the built-up area the dirt roads are pedestrian . The walk from the last parking lot to the Rocca is a few minutes, easily accessible to anyone. The Rocca has undergone various consolidation works, which allow you to visit it, also enjoying an incredible view of the Abruzzo landscape.

This town is located within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park and is perfect as a starting point for a series of excursions and trekking in nature. La Rocca is also home to interesting events, including classical music concerts and events related to falconry.

The castle of Rocca Calascio has ancient origins , when already around the year one thousand in this area there was an impressive sighting system, which reached the sea from the Apennines. Over the centuries, after various vicissitudes, the area was totally abandoned by man due to the lack of employment.

The fame of Rocca Calascio is also due to the numerous films that were shot here, thanks to the beauty of the place and of the Rocca itself; the most famous is certainly ” Lady Hawke” , during which you can see many glimpses of the crumbling towers. But the film “The Name of the Rose” with Sean Connery was also set.

The charm of this area is also due to the uncontaminated nature and the possibility of admiring the landscape from the top of the village, which is located along a steep ridge. The few houses restored today are very suggestive.

In the area it is also possible to taste the many traditional dishes of Abruzzo, thanks also to those who have been able to exploit a heritage that risked being lost.

Nearby is also the particular church of Santa Maria della Pietà , with its incredible octagonal layout, unusual for such a small town.