The story

in the 12th century in the Chronicon Casauriense . At that time, this area was dominated by the Normans, and it was likely they who gave the village its name, which may derive from the French ab(b)ateis, a term indicating the act of felling or a recently felled forest.

The village of Abbateggio, in any case, existed before it appeared in written sources. It is thought that its foundation may be linked to the monastery of San Clemente, established in 871 in Casauria.

The historical events of this village are linked to the names of several families who held it as fiefdoms, including the De Balzos and the Acquavivas. In 1731, the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza was entrusted to Charles III of Bourbon, and the village of Abbatereggio returned to the Kingdom of Naples, to which it remained loyal for a long time. In 1799, the people of Abbateggio and other nearby villages took to the streets to fight against the French of the Parthenopean Republic, in favor of the Restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. The French managed to prevail and defeated the insurgents at Manopello.

The ravines of the Majella, on whose slopes Abbateggio lies, served as a refuge for the Brigands during the period of Italian unification. Many in this village expressed dissatisfaction with the undertaking of Italian unification and joined the Banda della Majella, a group of brigands that operated in the Abruzzo Apennine massif.

During the years of fascism, Mussolini promoted an administrative reorganization and in this context, in 1929, Abbateggio was abolished as an independent municipality, returning to this status only in 1947.

Church of San Lorenzo Martire

Saint Lawrence is the patron saint of Abbateggio, and the church in the historic center of the village is named after him. It has a single nave and a rectangular plan.

The exterior façade is classical, with a 15th-century-style portal and a square bell tower. The bell tower houses a spiral staircase made of local stone, a true gem of craftsmanship.

The interior spaces are punctuated by rectangular semi-columns and characterized by a late Baroque style, particularly evident in the decorations. The church is rich in rose windows and stucco, which popular tradition attributes to the Ticino stucco artist Pietro Francesco Canturio, who worked in central Italy in the second half of the 18th century. Also of particular note are the stone holy water font and the wooden statue of Saint Lawrence.

 Church of the Madonna dell'Elcina

This place of worship is linked to an ancient story of miracles and apparitions. It is said that one day two mute shepherds were grazing sheep on the Elcina hill when they suddenly saw a woman and a painting of the Madonna holding the baby Jesus under a holm oak tree. The woman asked the shepherds for a church on the hill, repeating the request three times. On the third occasion, the shepherds ran into town and, upon reaching home, reported what they had seen, speaking for the first time. The mother, overcome with enthusiasm, alerted the neighbors and the entire village. Many flocked with the shepherds to the site of the apparition. After a consultation, it was decided to take the painting and bring it to the church of San Lorenzo, but the following day the canvas was found again at the foot of the tree, on the hill. This repeated itself for two more days, until everyone understood that the Madonna was clearly requesting the construction of a place of worship on that spot.

The church of the Madonna dell'Elcina that can be seen today dates back to 1927, built on the same site as the ancient sanctuary. Inside, beneath the altar, lies the remains of a holm oak tree, believed to be the ancient tree at the foot of which the Virgin Mary appeared. The church also houses a painted terracotta statue of the Madonna dell'Elcina. During its restoration, a painting depicting the Madonna holding the baby Jesus was discovered behind it. The painting likely dates to the 17th century, and although it is inconsistent with the year the Virgin Mary appeared, it is believed by the locals to be the canvas found under the holm oak by the shepherds.

Paleolithic Site of Valle Giumentina and Paleolithic Ecomuseum

Between 1954 and 1955, Professor AM Radmilli and his team of scholars from the University of Pisa began an in-depth study of a portion of the Giumentina Valley, which turned out to be one of the most important archaeological areas in Abruzzo.

Thanks to studies conducted in those years, the presence of a lake in ancient times was highlighted, which dried up approximately 50,000 years ago. Groups of people settled around this body of water for a period between 500,000 and 40,000 years ago. This period was characterized by significant climatic fluctuations; prehistoric humans during those years experienced two glaciations and their corresponding interludes. From the studies conducted, it was possible to deduce how these groups adapted to the varying temperatures, alternating between various types of flora and different prehistoric technologies.

The excavations also highlighted the activity of big game hunting, especially of animals such as bears and deer, although the remains found are few.

Today it can certainly be argued that this area of ​​the Giumentina Valley was inhabited throughout the Lower and Middle Paleolithic, and this theory is supported by the stone finds, worked with a particular technique.

In September 2012, a group of scholars resumed an in-depth study of the area.

On September 8, 2013, the Paleolithic Ecomuseum was inaugurated in the Giumentina Valley, opposite the archaeological site.

Through the reproduction of typical Abruzzo agricultural and pastoral architecture and the use of illustrative panels, the ecomuseum aims to guide visitors through a world that disappeared millennia ago. The tour illustrates typical dry-stone huts, as well as the activities and daily life of Neanderthals.

The ecomuseum also includes an experimental archaeology laboratory.

Archaeological complex of Sant'Agata.

In the Sant'Agata district, there is an archaeological complex linked to an ancient place of worship. A medieval church once stood here, of which only the votive altar remains today. Women would go on pilgrimages and bathe their breasts with water from the nearby spring. This ancient propitiatory rite, linked to fertility and abundance, can be traced back to the ancient deity of fertility of Italic-Roman origin.

Over the years, the place of worship fell into disrepair; by 1629, the church was recorded as having been destroyed. However, the female ritual, which took place on a particularly venerated altar, did not cease.

Thanks to some archaeological excavations, the remains of the church have been brought to light and it has been demonstrated that an even more ancient place of worship existed here.

National Prize for Naturalistic Literature "Parco Majella"

Since 1998, Abbateggio has hosted the “Parco Majella” literary prize, a literary competition that has grown year after year and features the participation of important names in literature, such as writer Dacia Maraini and Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo.

The competition is open to writers, both professional and amateur, and to Italian and foreign journalists. It is divided into several sections, which typically include published and unpublished fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.

The competition announcement is published in January and the texts are submitted to the judgement of expert teachers, journalists, scholars and members of particularly important environmental associations.

The final evening is held in July, with the award ceremony for the winners.

Farro Festival

Since 1992, Abbateggio has celebrated the patron saint on the night of San Lorenzo and honored the village's most important product: spelt.

Until a few decades ago, spelt seeds belonged only to ancient farming families in Abbateggio. Thanks to an intuition by the local Pro Loco, they have been put online.

In Abbateggio, the focus is on a local product to promote a healthy diet, based on regular consumption of fiber and spelt, a grain rich in beneficial properties.

The traditional Farro Festival is held on August 10th, an opportunity to sample a variety of spelt-based products. The desserts, prepared by expert pastry chefs, are not to be missed.

Abbateggio's Strong Character: Native Figures Who Have Marked History

Abbateggio, a jewel nestled in the Majella Mountains, has not only shaped landscapes of unparalleled beauty; it has also forged individuals of exceptional mettle who, despite hailing from a small village, have left an indelible mark on the nation's civil and moral history.

The most imposing figure, whose name is inextricably linked to Abbateggio's identity, is that of a man who transformed horror into eternal testimony.

1. Ermando Parete: Witness of Humanity Supported by the Majella

The most illustrious of Abbateggio's natives is Ermando Parete (1923 – 2016), a figure whose life is a powerful warning against barbarism and a symbol of Abruzzese resilience.

Ermando Parete isn't just a name: he's a living history lesson. A non-commissioned officer in the Guardia di Finanza , Parete was taken prisoner and deported to the Nazi extermination camp at Dachau after September 8, 1943, for refusing to fight alongside German troops .

His incredible survival in the hell of the concentration camp—where he was subjected to torture and experiments, including immersion in freezing water—became a powerful act of moral resistance. Upon his return to his native Abbateggio, he dedicated the rest of his life to tirelessly bearing witness to the Holocaust and the horrors of war , meeting with schoolchildren throughout Italy.

Ermando Parete's legacy is a "Never Again" to new generations, a civic courage honored today: the new Guardia di Finanza barracks in Pescara was named after him, in everlasting memory of the sacrifice of a son of Abbateggio who chose honor over injustice.

2. The Centennial Tradition: The Guardians of Longevity

Although they are not “celebrities” in the conventional sense of the term, an honorable mention goes to the Centenarians of Abbateggio , authentic characters who embody the quality of life, the purity of the environment and the strong identity of the village.

Over time, Abbateggio has earned a reputation as the "village of longevity ." This isn't just a statistic, but the expression of a visceral connection to the pristine nature of the Majella. The figures of the centenarians , like Anna De Thomasis (who has surpassed 100 years of age), represent the living historical memory of the village. They are the Guardians of Time , witnesses to a century of history and the slow, healthy pace of life that only an unspoiled environment like Abbateggio's can offer. By celebrating their birthdays, the village celebrates the deepest identity of Abruzzo: strength, simplicity, and an extraordinary capacity for resilience.

Abbateggio does not seek ephemeral spotlights, but celebrates figures whose impact, from historical testimony to longevity, profoundly and lastingly defines the character of this most beautiful village in Italy .

The Soul of the Majella on the Table: Abbateggio Recipes

Abbateggio, the "Village of White Stone," is more than just history and breathtaking scenery; it's also the custodian of a gastronomic tradition rooted in pastoralism and mountain agriculture. Its recipes are a celebration of simplicity, authenticity, and the rediscovery of ancient ingredients, first and foremost spelt , the town's true culinary symbol.

Here is a professional portrait of the dishes that define Abbateggio's identity.

1. Farro Soup: The Ancient Gold of the Fields

If there's one dish that embodies the spirit of Abbateggio, it's Farro Minestra . This grain, rediscovered and cultivated with passion by local producers, is the heart of mountain cuisine, a culinary legacy that dates back to ancient Roman times.

It's not just a simple soup; it's a liquid narrative of the land. Farro Minestra is the finest expression of humble food elevated to gastronomic excellence. Authentic, comforting, and rich in nutrients, it's prepared with split (or pearled) farro , slowly cooked in a simple, flavorful broth enriched with chopped fresh vegetables—carrot, celery, and onion—and often flavored with a prosciutto bone or pieces of local sausage. A final touch of raw extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of Abruzzo pecorino seal a flavor reminiscent of home, mountains, and history. A dish to be savored slowly, warming the body and nourishing the soul, celebrated every August with the famous Farro Festival .

Key Elements

• Key Ingredient: Farro (pearled or cracked).
• Distinctive Flavors: Minced vegetables, sometimes light tomato, raw EVO oil.
• Recommended pairing: Stale or toasted bread and Pecorino della Majella.

2. Sheep alla Callara (or Ajo Cotturo): The Legacy of Transhumance

This is not just a simple second course; it is a ritual of pastoral culture , inextricably linked to the cycle of transhumance that has shaped the economy and traditions of the Majella. Although widespread in various mountainous areas of Abruzzo, its preparation in Abbateggio maintains its rigor and ancient wisdom.

A culinary epic that requires time, dedication, and a slow fire. Pecora alla Callara (translated as "Sheep in the Cauldron") is the epitome of strong and unforgettable cuisine Mature sheep meat —traditionally prepared in a large copper cauldron (the callara )—is subjected to a long, double boil with white wine, aromatic herbs, and vegetables to ensure impeccable tenderness. Only after hours of patient cooking is the meat browned with tomato, chili pepper, and local herbs. The result is a dense, enveloping ragù that celebrates the strength of the sheep and the indomitable nature of the mountains. It is the authentic taste of the most genuine Abruzzo.

Key Elements

• Key Ingredient: Mutton (requires long cooking).
• Method: Double boiling followed by slow cooking in the sauce.
• Distinctive Aromas: White wine, garlic, rosemary, bay leaves and a hint of chilli pepper.

3. Arrosticini: Pure Essence of Pastoralism

While not exclusive to Abbateggio, Arrosticini are a staple of the gastronomic experience in every town at the foot of the Majella.

The simplest and most perfect expression of street food . Arrosticini are the quintessential lamb: cubes of mutton (or mutton) , threaded onto a thin skewer and grilled, strictly over a grill . Served piping hot and salted after cooking, they represent the ideal balance between flavorful fat and lean, tender meat. No visit to the village is complete without sampling this specialty, a symbol of conviviality and pastoral tradition passed down from generation to generation.

Key Elements

• Key Ingredient: Mutton (or mutton) cut into cubes.
• Method: Quick cooking on the stove (embers).
• Recommended pairing: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo red wine and oiled bread.