Roccaspinalveti
Welcome to Roccaspinalveti: A tour through the history and treasures of an ancient Abruzzese village
If you're looking for a charming location with breathtaking natural landscapes, rich in history and culture, you must visit Roccaspinalveti, a town located in the province of Chieti in Abruzzo. With its 1700 inhabitants, Roccaspinalveti is an ancient village nestled in the sub-Apennine of Castiglione Messer Marino, in the upper valley of the Sinello River, and is considered an agricultural-pastoral center.
The wonder of nature
Roccaspinalveti is a town that extends over a territory dominated by nature, a hilly landscape where nature's greenery reigns supreme. From the village, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding valleys and the Sinello River that runs through the area. Nature here is protected and respected, creating a clean and lush environment, ideal for walks and outdoor activities.
The history
Roccaspinalveti has a millenary history. The ancient settlement mentioned in the 18th century as Rocca Spina Oliveta and later as Roccavecchia was evacuated due to landslides and rebuilt further downstream with cardo (Roman history) and decumanus in 19th-century style. From the old settlement, you can recognize the ancient feudal palace, the church, and some houses. According to some hypotheses that have not been verified, the village may have been founded by Sabellic people and later fortified during medieval castellation. In the 19th century, Roccaspinalveti was completely rebuilt farther downstream, giving birth to the current village, with a cardo and decumanus plan and an urban layout in 19th-century style that reproduced the architectural models of the time.
The symbols
The coat of arms of Roccaspinalveti, granted by the decree of the President of the Republic on July 21, 1972, reports a palm (heraldry) between the letters R and S, initials of the two elements that make up the toponym. While the banner is a troncated cloth of green and white.
Monuments and places of interest
It is impossible to visit Roccaspinalveti without admiring its monuments and places of interest:
- The Church of San Michele Arcangelo: located in Piazza Roma in the hamlet of Aia Bruna. The church dates back to 1850 when it was built on top of the previous Chapel of San Michele. The interior is a single nave with a barrel vault and false dome and preserves a 17th-century organ.
- The medieval village: located on a peak of Monte Trimonte (1150 m), is reduced to ruins. However, the village dominates the valleys of the Trigno and Sangro rivers, controls the accesses of the neighboring rivers and is vulnerable to attacks from above. Some wall-houses have a tortuous access to those who want to penetrate. There are two urban gates: La Porta a Capo and La Porta a Piedi.
- The remains of the Church of San Pietro: located in the hamlet of Rocca. It dates back to 1050 when it was mentioned in a donation deed by a certain Bruno as revenue of the abbey of the Holy Trinity. Currently, the church's perimeter walls that emerge from the rubble of the collapses are preserved. The rectangular plan of about seven meters by twelve is visible. In the church, you can admire the doorjamb of the entrance portal located on the east side of the building.
Culture and traditions
Roccaspinalveti is rich in Abruzzese culture and traditions. Among the most well-known culinary traditions are the famous "cavatelli" alla molisana, fried zucchini flowers, and the characteristic "ventricina," a salami with a strong and decisive aroma. Every year, during the summer, the patron saint's festival of Madonna dell'Oro takes place and attracts many tourists.
Conclusion
Roccaspinalveti is a magical place, a journey through time between history, nature, traditions, and culture. A place to visit and discover calmly, strolling through the narrow streets, admiring the monuments, and enjoying the surrounding natural landscape. Its lush nature and historical and artistic heritage make it a small paradise to visit all year round.
