Carpineto Sinello
Discovering Carpineto Sinello: a medieval village on the slopes of Mount Sorbo
Welcome to Carpineto Sinello, a small municipality with 510 inhabitants located in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo. The town takes its name from the Sinello river and the nearby Ostrya carpinifolia forest. The center is located on a hill on the slopes of Mount Sorbo and dominates the valleys of the Sinello river and Ferrato stream. In this area, the presence of water has always been a fundamental resource for economic activities.
The history of Carpineto Sinello
The first mention of the municipality dates back to 1156, when it was mentioned in the Catalogus Baronum as a fief of Roberto di Monteferrante. Over the centuries, Carpineto Sinello has passed from hand to hand among various feudal lords, including the di Sangro, Acclozamora, Pignatelli, Giulio Gesualdo, Girolamo Diaz, and Bassi families. In the sixteenth century, the small medieval village saw the construction of a fortified village, the village of Policorvo. Later, the twelfth-century Norman castle was purchased by Baron Michele Bassi, who converted it into a ducal palace.
Monuments and places of interest in Carpineto Sinello
The medieval village of Carpineto Sinello is dotted with monuments and places of interest. Among the most important is the Ducal Castle, which dominates the center of the town from the top of the hill. Built by the Normans in the twelfth century, the castle was transformed into a noble palace by Baron Michele Bassi in the fifteenth century. Today, you can still admire the fortification elements in the sloping masonry and side bastions. The interior preserves Baroque frescoes, a cloister, and horse stables.
A short walk from the castle is the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, the parish church. This building dates back to the fourteenth century but has undergone numerous transformations in the following centuries. In 1728, Baroque elements were added, but during subsequent restorations, the original internal walls were covered. The bell tower was rebuilt in 1838 by engineer Carlo Luigi Dau.
The Pig Museum is located in the old slaughterhouse. Here, visitors can learn about the history of the pig and the processing of ventricina, a spicy local salami highly appreciated in Abruzzo. Finally, in the fraction of Policorvo, there is a small village of walled houses dating back to the sixteenth century, whose traces of fortification are still visible.
Local cuisine
The cuisine of Carpineto Sinello offers many delicious dishes, but the most famous is undoubtedly ventricina. This vastese area salami is obtained by mixing dried salami with powdered hot peppers. It is a highly appreciated dish throughout the region.
The demographic evolution of Carpineto Sinello
In recent decades, the population of Carpineto Sinello has decreased significantly. In 1951, the town had 1246 inhabitants, but in 2021 there are only 510 remaining. Despite this, the local community is very active and organizes numerous cultural and social initiatives throughout the year. The beauty of the monuments and the surrounding landscapes also attracts many tourists.
In conclusion, Carpineto Sinello is a medieval village rich in history and culture. The beauty of its architecture and surrounding landscapes makes it an ideal place for those who want to discover the most authentic Abruzzo.
