Ofena
Greetings from Ofena, a small town in the province of L'Aquila
Hello friends, today I will talk to you about Ofena, a small town in the province of L'Aquila in Abruzzo, which has only 417 inhabitants. Ofena is situated at the end of the Capestrano basin and is one of the gateways to the southern part of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.
The geographic location of Ofena
Ofena is situated on a rocky hill in a dominant position, and is famous for the spectacular views from the Torre Forca di Penne pass. Ofena is located on the border with the province of Pescara, and its flat area is located in the Capestrano basin plateau.
The climate of Ofena
Ofena is known as the "oven of Abruzzo", along with Capestrano, due to the high summer temperatures, which are due to the high continentality, southern exposure and not particularly high hilly altitude. The climate is also particularly dry, and the annual precipitation does not exceed 550 mm, which often makes the landscape barren, rocky and devoid of vegetation.
The history of Ofena
Ofena has an ancient history, dating back to the 9th century BC, when the entire valley of the Tirino River was inhabited by the Vestini. In the center of the valley was the city of Aufinum, which included a hilltop settlement on the Sant'Antonio hill near Capestrano, small scattered settlements and a necropolis near the Tirino River. Among the most important finds of the civilization is the Warrior of Capestrano, which is believed to represent the Vestini king, Nevio Pompuledio. The funerary statue with weapons and armor is now preserved in Chieti at the National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo in Villa Frigerj.
With the Sannitic Wars and the Social War, the Vestini were conquered by Rome. Traces of the new Roman center are visible in a theater found near the Vestini necropolis in the Capestrano plain.
In medieval and modern times, the territory of Ofena was depopulated due to the continuous raids of bandits, and it was necessary to find shelter on the surrounding hills. Easily defensible settlements arose, including Ofena. In the sixth century, there was also the diocese of Aufinum, which was subsequently suppressed, and was one of the oldest in the province of L'Aquila. The first nucleus was surrounded by walls that defended the castle.
Places of interest in Ofena
Ofena offers various tourist attractions, including the convent of the Capuchins and the monastery of San Giacomo dell'Osservanza. The landscape around Ofena is characterized by numerous olive groves, which produce a precious oil.
Conclusions
Here is a small taste of Ofena, its warm climate, its ancient history and its tourist attractions. If you are looking for a peaceful place surrounded by nature, Ofena is definitely the right place for you. Come and visit us, we will be happy to welcome you!
