Rovere
Rovere: a dive into the history and nature of Abruzzo
Hi everyone! Today, I want to talk about Rovere, a beautiful hamlet of the Municipality of Rocca di Mezzo, in the province of L'Aquila. If you are a nature and history lover, this location is just what you need!
Physical Geography
Located at an altitude of 1432 meters, Rovere lies at the foot of Mount Sirente on the Rocche plateau, surrounded by tourist locations and ski resorts like Piani di Pezza, Campo Felice, and Monte Magnola. The village is roughly three kilometers away from Rocca di Mezzo.
History
Rovere has an ancient history, dating back to the Italic era, when it was situated at the border between the territory of the Vestini and the Marsi to the south, and with the Valle Subequana to the east. The original toponym was "Robur Marsorum," a name that first appeared in a religious document in 962, concerning a donation made by the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I of Saxony to the Archdiocese of L'Aquila in Bagno (L'Aquila). During the Middle Ages, the village followed the events of the County of Celano, still orbiting the Marsicana diocese, as opposed to the nearby center of Rocca di Mezzo, included among the possessions of the Forconese diocese, and later of the L'Aquila diocese since its establishment.
Monuments and Places of Interest
In Rovere, there are many monuments and places of interest to visit:
Religious Architecture
- Church of Saint Peter the Apostle: dating back to the XVI century, this church was built on the ruins of the pre-existing castle of Rovere, which dates back to the IX century. The square-shaped bell tower includes a part of one of the three towers of the ancient fortified center.
- Church of Our Lady of Grace: dating back to the XIII century.
- Church of Saint Mary Magdalene: built in the XIX century.
Military Architecture
- Castle of Rovere: this castle was fortified and equipped with three small towers to facilitate visual communication with the "castrum" of Ovindoli, Santa Jona, and San Potito (Ovindoli) to protect the transit line between the Fucino area and the Aquilan basin.
Archaeological Sites
The territory of Rovere, included in an area of transition between the Italic populations of the Marsi and the Vestini, preserves several traces of its past, such as the remains of the fortified center connected to the ruins of the fortress.
Curiosities
The village suffered significant damage during the Marsica earthquake of 1915, as a result of which most of the ruins of the ancient fortress were demolished for safety and construction needs. The architectural heritage suffered new damages to the Church of Saint Peter and the bell tower due to the L'Aquila earthquake of 2009. Fortunately, in 2017, the bell tower was restored by the Abruzzo Superintendence.
Conclusion
As you can see, Rovere is a must-visit if you are passionate about history and nature. I hope I've been useful in telling you something about this splendid Abruzzo village. See you next time!
