Rocca di Mezzo
Rocca di Mezzo: a Abruzzo destination among mountains and natural beauties
Rocca di Mezzo is a municipality in the province of L'Aquila, located in the Altopiano delle Rocche, in a central position on the plateau. With its approximately 1,800 inhabitants, it represents an important tourist destination for winter sports enthusiasts and for those who appreciate natural settings of great charm.
Physical geography
The territory of Rocca di Mezzo extends for about 90 km² and has an average altitude of 1270/1280 m. Its conformation is characterized by the presence of two mountain ranges, Mount Velino and Mount Sirente, whose range varies from 925 to 2243 meters at "Punta Trento".
One of Rocca di Mezzo's main natural attractions are the Piani di Pezza and Monte Rotondo (Abruzzo), which constitute a real natural oasis for those who love hiking and horseback riding.
Also interesting from a geological point of view are karst phenomena, such as sinkholes and swallow holes. The Terranera swallow hole is located within the municipal territory, and precipitation waters flow into it, to then resurface in the Stiffe Caves, about 3 kilometers away, in the territory of the municipality of San Demetrio ne' Vestini. Other swallow holes are found in the plain between Rocca di Mezzo and the Rovere (Rocca di Mezzo) district, and it has not yet been clarified whether the waters that flow through these fissures reach Stiffe Caves or not.
Hydrography
The water of Rocca di Mezzo, coming from precipitation and numerous springs and streams in the area, inevitably reaches the fissure systems of the karst, which transport it underground. The particularity of the municipality is that there is a watershed between the two Apennine slopes: the southern part of the municipality, between Rocca di Mezzo and Rovere, collects water that flows towards the Tyrrhenian Sea, while the northern part of the territory, where the swallow holes are found, the water flows towards the Adriatic Sea.
Rocca di Mezzo as a summer climatic station and winter sports tourism center
Rocca di Mezzo is a well-known summer tourist destination thanks to its central location on the Altopiano delle Rocche. The municipality is in fact home to the Sirente-Velino Regional Nature Park, one of the most spectacular natural environments in Abruzzo, so much so that the Park has been declared a Site of Community Interest.
In winter, the resort turns into a tourist destination for winter sports enthusiasts, especially for those who love cross-country skiing, ski touring, and ski mountaineering.
The ski resorts of Campo Felice and Ovindoli
In the area, there are also the ski resorts of Campo Felice and Ovindoli, which attract thousands of tourists every year in search of strong emotions. The ski lifts and equipped slopes make it possible to ski in complete safety, guaranteeing sports enthusiasts of all levels the opportunity to have fun on the snow.
Conclusions
Rocca di Mezzo is a place of great charm, located in a unique geological and naturalistic landscape. Thanks to its characteristics, the Abruzzo municipality is an ideal destination for those seeking the beauty of mountains and the charm of snow, but also for those who want to spend their days in the sun, immersed in nature and greenery. Its central location makes it an easily reachable place, but far from the noise and stress of cities, where one can live in contact with nature, practicing sports or simply enjoying the landscape.
