Calascio (located in l’Aquila) is a small town nestled in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. Surrounded by a landscape of prairies and imposing rocks, it was once dominated by another village, Rocca Calascio, destroyed by the earthquake in 1703.  

Only the ruins of the old village remain, along with a very famous Rocca (Fortress), founded around the year 1000 as a simple watchtower. This fortress has become increasingly important because of its particularly privileged position. 

At 1500 meters above sea level, the fortress dominates the landscape as far as the eye can see. It is one of the most unique medieval fortresses in Abruzzo for its structure, unusual in the region because it comes from a foreign tradition. Going down into the valley, the small Church of Santa Maria della Pietà (14th century) is notable in its simplicity: its external shape is octagonal. 

(Translated by Matthew Prisco with Pallavi Kurakula)