Manoppello
Discovering Manoppello and its territory
If you're looking for a charming destination for your holidays or a day trip, Manoppello might be the right choice for you! This town in Abruzzo, province of Pescara, has about 6,772 inhabitants and is characterized by the presence of an important sanctuary, the Sanctuary of the Holy Face, which preserves the religious relic of the Holy Face of Manoppello.
Origins of the name
But where does the name of the town come from? It seems that the name Manoppello is related to the amount of grain that could be contained in the arms, or the so-called "manoppio", a symbol that is present in the town's coat of arms. In particular, it seems that the name derives from the combination of the Latin words "manus" and "plere", meaning "full hand". The sheaf of wheat, instead, represents the fertility of the land, an element that in the past guaranteed prosperity and abundant harvests.
History
The history of Manoppello has deep roots, dating back to the ancient Roman era. In fact, the current historic center of the town stands on the ruins of an ancient Roman city, as evidenced by the numerous archaeological finds preserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo in Chieti, many of which were found in the area now called Valle Romana. Among the most important discoveries, we highlight a Roman patrician villa (in the locality of Arabona) with intact mosaics, recently restored and reopened to the public.
In the twelfth century, the Monastery of San Pietro in Vallebona was built, which lasted until the seventeenth century. An important document regarding the foundation of the new Lombard castrum is the diploma of Emperor Louis II the Younger in 874, when the castle was donated to the newly born abbey of San Clemente in Casauria on the river Pescara. The village was the center of the important county that controlled much of the Chieti region. Over the centuries, Manoppello passed into the hands of various noble families, including the Orsini and the Caracciolo.
The Sanctuary of the Holy Face
But the true symbol of Manoppello is its sanctuary, which preserves the religious relic of the Holy Face of Manoppello. The Holy Face of Manoppello is a linen sheet, 17.5cm long and 24cm wide, on which the face of Christ is imprinted. According to tradition, the sheet was donated by a pilgrim to a Franciscan friar in 1506 and arrived precisely in the Abruzzo town. The relic is kept inside the church of the sanctuary, which dates back to the eighteenth century.
The gastronomy of Manoppello
In addition to history and religiosity, Manoppello also offers a rich gastronomic tradition. Among the typical dishes of this area of Abruzzo, we point out the "orecchiette alla mugnaia", "paparelle" (potato dumplings with meat sauce and cherry tomatoes), fried veal tongues, and "strascinati" with pork ragout. Typical products such as pecorino cheese, liver salami, and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine are also not lacking.
Discovering the territory
If you are visiting Manoppello, we recommend taking the opportunity to discover its territory. You can go on a hike in the Valle Romana, exploring its archaeological finds, or visit the Abbey of Santa Maria Arabona and admire its eighteenth-century frescoes. Not far from Manoppello is the Majella National Park, which offers nature lovers a wide choice of hiking trails.
In short, Manoppello is a town rich in history, spirituality, and flavors, which is worth discovering!
