Capestrano is located 465 meters (about 1525 feet) above sea level, 42 km (26 miles) from L’Aquila. It is a medieval village found on a hill overlooking the Valle del Tirino (Tirino Valley). Capestrano offers access to the southern part of the National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga (Mountains of Laga). Nearby is the Archeological Institute of Aufinum, as well as the ancient necropolis where Abruzzo’s most representative artifact was found: the Italic Warrior (Guerriero Italico) of Capestrano, a funerary statue dating back to the 6th century BC, which today is displayed at the Archeological Museum of Chieti.  

The village is full of architectural evidence of the past, such as the mysterious medieval church of San Pietro at Oratorium in the open countryside, also known for “sator arepo tenet opera rota”, the enigmatic magic square appended to the façade. The inscription is arranged in five lines, such that regardless of where you read it from, the phrase doesn’t change.  

The Piccolomini castle (1485) is also extraordinary. It is one of the most important fortified castle complexes in Abruzzo, property of the Municipality. There is also the Convent of San Francesco (15th century), established by San Giovanni of Capestrano.  

The fascinating artificial lake of Capo d’Acqua, found a little further downstream from the source of the Tirino river, is another destination not to be missed. Before the land was submerged in the waters of the lake, in medieval times there were two mills and a paint factory. The paint factory is visible today at the surface, whereas the two mills are well preserved, immersed in the crystalline water of the lake. They create a fascinating and mysterious underwater location, which attracts diving enthusiasts from all over the world.

(Translated by Paula Qefaliaj with Matthew Prisco)