The church of Santa Maria in Val Porclaneta, located in Rosciolo, a hamlet of Magliano de’ Marsi (Aquila), is one of the most interesting examples of Romanesque art in Abruzzo, containing Arab-Hispanic, Byzantine, and Lombard influences.  

The church is situated on the slopes of Mount Velino at 1022 m (3353 feet) above sea level and is reachable via a mule track. The monastic presence on the site certainly dates to before 1080, the year in which Count Berardo gifted the monastery of Santa Maria in Val Porclaneta to the Benedictine community of Montecassino, along with the Rosciolo Castle and its domain.  

The Benedictines started the reconstruction of the abbey complex. Today, however, only the splendid church and a portal, probably used to access the ancient church courtyard, remain. The view of the abbey with the Velino in the background is astonishing, but is quickly surpassed by the interior, where one can admire an ambo, a ciborium, and a significant iconostasis, as well as splendid frescoes.  

On the side of the church, there is the ancient mule track. Fun fact: right on the mule track after about 500 meters (1640 feet), there is a very ancient oak tree, which, according to the sign at its base, is a contemporary of the church itself and thus nearly a thousand years old.

(Translation by Paula Qefaliaj and Matthew Prisco)