Abruzzo: Pescasseroli

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Pescasseroli is right in the middle of the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo in the high Valley of Sangro. The park is filled with lakes, wildlife, mountains, caves and rivers. It is a pristine nature preserve. The park is great for hiking, trekking, canoeing and other outdoor pursuits. The oldest part of town is near the Sangro River. Here, on a rocky spur ("pesco") you’ll find the ruins of the Mancino Castle. The tale of the castle (from which Pescasseroli gets its name) is that a young Knight named Serolo (whose father was the Lord of the castle) fell in love with a beautiful Saracen woman named Pesca. He marries her, she goes to live in the castle, Serolo has to go in to battle and the two lovers are parted (but fully expecting a reunion). The Lord (Serolo’s father) falls in love with her and Pesca has to escape the castle and the Lord. She is caught and killed. Serolo returns to the castle, learns of Pesca’s death and dies of pain and sadness. Thus — Pescasseroli…it’s a sad tale, but a good tale don’t you think? The church of San Paolo ad Pesculum Serule (12^th century) has a statue of Madonna dell’Incoronata (in wood). The Chiesa del Carmelo (18^th century) is Baroque in style and worth a look. At the entrance to the park there is the Museo di Storia Naturale. There’s a lot of help at the offices of the Parco Nazionale — whatever your interest, they have an itinerary for you. At the entrance of the village there is a fountain with an inscription remembering the Park’s opening date (9th September 1922).