Roccamorice
Discovering Roccamorice: a gem between Abruzzo and Maiella!
Hello friends, today I will talk to you about Roccamorice, a municipality in the province of Pescara, Abruzzo. This little village is a real treasure, as it is located on a rocky spur that separates the valleys of the Lavino and Avinello rivers, on the north-western side of Maiella.
Physical geography
As I just said, Roccamorice is located on a rocky spur, and is crossed by the regional road that from Scafa climbs the massive up to Cima Blockhaus. It is a charming place, in the middle of nature, surrounded by green hills and mountains.
History
The history of Roccamorice dates back to before 1000, but there are no certain sources about the origin of the settlement. However, we know that in 1066 it was called "Rocca Morica" and that it had different owners over time. In 1354, for example, it was owned by Antonio di Letto and in 1412 it passed to the Valignani family of Chieti, who governed it until 1741.
Monuments and places of interest
The cultural and historical heritage of Roccamorice is very rich. In fact, there are numerous churches, military buildings, the historic center and more.
Religious architectures
The Parish Church of San Donato is certainly one of the most important churches in the country. Built in the 14th century, it was restored in the 17th century and has a Maiella stone exterior with a gable façade and a tower bell. The three-aisle interior is characterized by columns decorated in green marble and a white marble pulpit.
The Church of the Baron, next to the parish church, was built in the 16th century from the medieval castle of the village. In fact, the structure is very compact and derives much of the plan of the Christian temple from the old ruined tower. The façade is in a Renaissance style, with a small tower bell.
The Hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio, on the border with Abbateggio, is another very popular place of interest. It is presumed to have been inhabited by hermit monks already in the 11th century and was also inhabited by Pietro da Morrone. The hermitage is set in the Maiella with a narrow and articulated entrance that winds along the mountain grooves.
The Hermitage of Santo Spirito in Maiella, on the other hand, is a monastic complex that hosted Pope Victor III and then in the 13th century Pope Celestine V. In the 16th century, Pietro Santucci from Manfredonia lived there. The pronaos is set in the rock and the inner church has baroque forms.
Military architectures
The Medieval Tower is a restored square tower from the 12th century, which in the past was used for lookout purposes. It has a very characteristic appearance and is definitely worth a visit.
Other
Roccamorice's historic center is characterized by medieval and eighteenth-century houses made of stone. It snakes along Corso Umberto I and Via del Belvedere, where the two main historic churches are located.
Finally, I cannot fail to mention the Caciara, circular stone constructions with a hollow entrance, part of a Neolithic village located near Colle Civita, on the border between Lettomanoppello and Abbateggio.
Conclusions
Roccamorice is a jewel of Abruzzo, a place rich in history, art, nature and culture. If you are in the area, you cannot miss a visit to this splendid village.
