Venere
Venere, the enchanted town of the Abruzzo Mountains
Hello friends, today I will tell you about Venere, the phenomenal hamlet of Pescina, located in the beautiful region of Abruzzo. This enchanted village is characterized by its position at the foot of the mountain range located on the eastern edges of the Fucino basin which separates it from the Giovenco valley, along the 83 Marsicana national road that connects the Fucino area to the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park.
Physical geography
Venere is located at an altitude of 735 meters and borders Pescina to the north and the municipalities of Gioia dei Marsi, Ortucchio, San Benedetto dei Marsi and Trasacco. It is about 3.8 kilometers from the municipal capital. Its natural beauties have won the hearts of many tourists who come here every year in search of a holiday full of tranquility and nature.
History
The history of Venere dates back to 150 BC, the first written document in which Venere is mentioned reads: "was worshipped (Venus (deity)) especially in the current village that bears her name Venus and around 150 BC the Marsi built a temple under the title of 'Venus Myrtus communis'". The temple was built to celebrate the peace between the Marsi, the other Italic peoples and the Roman civilization that would have determined the name of the village.
The Tronci cave and the Maurizio shelter attest how in these places, originally located on the eastern shores of Lake Fucino, the populations settled continuously. This was possible thanks to the climatic conditions made favorable by the presence of the lake. The first settlements, about 18,000 years ago, were made by the Bertonian tribes coming to Marsica from the contemporary area of Montebello di Bertona (Province of Pescara).
Venere was already an important military stronghold from the Middle Ages, in the thirteenth century the "Castrum Veneris" was built, composed of three twin watchtowers and control towers on Lake Fucino, placed in connection and aligned with the others present on the Fucino heights. Only one of the three towers remained standing and is still visible today.
Monuments and places of interest
Venere is rich in art and culture, with monuments and buildings that are a testament to its glorious history and religious tradition.
Religious architecture
One of the most beautiful and significant things to visit in Venere is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio, built around 1550 and destroyed by the great earthquake of Marsica in 1915. It was only rebuilt in 1949 and still today, it represents a pilgrimage destination for many faithful. Located in the upper part of the town, it is one of the most beautiful and suggestive panoramic points in the entire area.
Another religious place much loved by locals and tourists is the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. The original building replaced the disappeared parish church dedicated to Saint Silvester. Around it, the inhabited area located on a hill developed, after the abandonment of the medieval fortified center. In an ecclesiastical document of 1809, the church is mentioned with the dignity of a parish archpriesthood. It collapsed due to the earthquake of 1915 and, as for the town, the reconstruction took place downstream.
Conclusions
Venere is truly a perfect destination for those looking for a holiday full of natural beauty, culture, and art. Here you can get lost in the narrow streets of the old village and admire the breathtaking views from the heights in front of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio.
What are you waiting for? Come and visit Venere and let yourself be conquered by its beautiful landscape and its millenary history!
