Civitaluparella
Discovering Civitaluparella, an Abruzzo village immersed in nature
Civitaluparella, also known as ''La Civéte'' in the Abruzzese dialect, is an Italian municipality located in the province of Chieti, in Abruzzo. With its 292 inhabitants, this small village is immersed in nature, on a limestone ridge overlooking the Sangro river valley, at an altitude of 903 meters above sea level.
The physical geography of the territory
Civitaluparella extends over 23 km² in a mountainous territory near the Sangro river and the Parello stream. The current extension was reached in 1964, when the municipality had to cede part of its territory in favor of the emerging municipality of Fallo, which was previously only a hamlet.
The village is located on a rocky spur of limestone on the southern slope of the Monti Lupari. To the north of the village are forest areas such as the Difesa woods, Monte Pidocchio woods and the Cese woods, dotted with lakes such as the Pantera Lake and the Torretta Lake.
Civitaluparella still retains its original urban features, with narrow streets and ancient buildings made of local stone.
The history of the municipality
The municipal territory of Civitaluparella has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the rock engravings found in the area. The Sannitic tribe of Carricini was present in the territory, to which the current falera preserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo is attributed.
The first official reference to the village dates back to 1115, when Civitaluparella is mentioned among the possessions of the Teatine diocese in a papal bull of Pope Pasquale II. In the Angevin period, the village was owned by Raoul and Matilde de Courtnay, and in the early years of the 14th century it became part of the vast possessions of Caldora.
The most illustrious member of the Caldora family, Giacomo Caldora, was responsible for the defensive improvements of the building that was later called the castle, which decayed under the ownership of his son Antonio Caldora in the second half of the 15th century while he was fighting Ferdinando I of Naples. Zenobia Giudice Caracciolo, in 1668, bought Civitaluparella and Montelapiano for 29,350 ducats. The village remained under the Caracciolo family until 1806, the year of the abolition of the feudal regime.
The name Civitaluparella derives from the Latin words ''Civitas'' and ''Luparius'', meaning ‘wolf hunter’. The current name can already be traced back to documents from the 12th century, in which the locality is mentioned as Civitaluparella or Civita Luparella.
What to visit in Civitaluparella
Civitaluparella is a quiet and relaxing village, perfect for those looking for a break from the chaos of the city and wanting to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Among the main attractions of the village, we can mention the parish church of San Giovanni Battista, a building with a gable façade made of local stone and a sail bell tower. Inside, the church preserves a precious gilded wooden altar dating back to 1700.
Another attraction worth a visit is the Caldora Castle, located on the top of the village, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Sangro valley.
Finally, nature lovers cannot miss the opportunity to visit the Difesa forest, Monte Pidocchio forest and the Cese forest, all characterized by the presence of flora and fauna typical of the area.
Local cuisine
The cuisine of Civitaluparella is based on typical local products such as cheeses, olive oil, bread and wine.
Among the typical dishes of the village, we can mention polenta with sausages and beans, maccheroni alla chitarra with meat sauce, chickpeas with mussels, fish soup, roasted pork and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine.
Conclusions
Civitaluparella is a little-known tourist destination but definitely worth a visit for those who want to discover the beauty of Abruzzo. Immersed in nature and rich in history, this village offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy an authentic experience far from the chaos of the city. With its delicious cuisine and cultural attractions, Civitaluparella is an ideal place for a relaxing and unforgettable vacation.
