Padula
Discovering Padula: history, geography and places of interest
If you're looking for a peaceful place surrounded by nature, Padula, a hamlet of the municipality of Cortino in the province of Teramo, might be just what you need. With its population of 118, we're in a small village located 35 km from Teramo, at an altitude of 928 metres above sea level. In this text, we invite you to discover the history, physical geography, and monuments and places of interest of Padula, a place full of surprises.
History
The village was initially named "Rocca di Padula" and had since kept its beauty, as testified by Pope Innocent IV in 1252 when he mentioned the church of Santa Croce in Padule, dependent on the monks of Sant'Angelo in Vulturino in Montagna dei Fiori near Valle Castellana. Padula was included in the feudal domains of the Acquaviva family at least since 1424, as part of the Roseto Mountain district, and was the main centre of the traditional territorial district called ''Fiumata'', which included the entire upper Tordino valley on the right bank down to the locality of Agnova. In 1488, Andrea Matteo III Acquaviva, the Duke of Atri, with the consent of the Bishop, united the parishes of Padula, Lame and Pezzelle, which were separated again from the first half of the 16th century onwards. Later, Padula was united with Macchia Tornella until the 16th century when, after the plague epidemic of 1528, the latter built the church in honour of Saint Rocco, which later became its own parish church. In 1816, Padula was annexed to the municipality of Cortino.
Physical geography
Padula falls within the "M" area of the "Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park". The forested area surrounding Padula is very popular among expert mycologists since it is rich in porcini mushrooms. In addition to porcini mushrooms, there are also other fruits of the undergrowth such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries. Furthermore, the former school, renovated, currently houses an information centre and Ecotourism Centre of the Park called "I frutti del bosco" (fruits of the forest).
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architecture
Padula boasts numerous churches and monuments of historical and cultural interest. One of the most important religious monuments is the church of Santa Maria Assunta, built in the 15th century and restored in the 20th century. Inside the church, you can admire some 16th-century frescoes. In 1988, the church was given the title of "Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Monti della Laga". The church of Sant'Antonio, a small religious building erected in the centre of the village, preserves a lacunose epigraph on the lintel of the entrance that bears the date 1649. Other places of religious interest are the ruins of the Selva in Fonte Convent in Storno, easily reachable on foot along the path that leads towards Mount Gorzano.
Civil architecture
In addition to religious buildings, there is also an important civil building in Padula: the Vecchio Mulino (Old Mill). It is a now ruined building located on the old path to Macchiatornella, which for decades marked the passage of time in Padula. Another place of interest is the Serpent's Spring, located near the clearing called "Le Macere".
If you're looking for a peaceful place, surrounded by nature and with a great historical and cultural richness, Padula is the perfect destination for you. From its religious buildings to the beauty of its natural places, Padula will amaze you and make you want to come back.
