Sante Marie
A dip in the nature of Sante Marie
Sante Marie is a small Abruzzese town with a population of just over a thousand people, surrounded by majestic peaks of the Abruzzo Apennines. The location borders with municipalities such as Carsoli, Tagliacozzo and Magliano de' Marsi and, to the northwest, with the Lazio municipality of Pescorocchiano. The surrounding area is perfect for hiking and horseback riding enthusiasts, with numerous trails that lead to the hamlets of Castelvecchio, San Giovanni, Santo Stefano, Scanzano, and other nearby areas.
Sante Marie is famous for its Castanea sativa forest, which offers an immersive experience in the surrounding nature. Not only that, but in the Luppa valley, there is a regional nature reserve of the Luppa Caves, a protected area with several caves and a sinkhole that emphasizes the mystical aspect of the area.
Name origins and history
The origin of the name, "Altum (castrum) Sanctae Mariae," would come from a temple dedicated to Mary and has been used in historical and papal documents such as the Catalogus baronum.
The urban nucleus of Sante Marie has existed since at least 1187, as evidenced in the Catalogus baronum and Pope Clement III's bull, which listed the Marsic churches under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Avezzano.
During the medieval period, Sante Marie was included among the possessions of the sons of Oderisio De Ponte, with Rainaldo lord of Tagliacozzo and Teodino lord of Tremonti. After the Battle of Tagliacozzo, the lord of the place was Francesco De Ponte. From 1294 to 1497, the Orsini family was the feudal lord of the County of Carsoli, followed by the Colonna, when Federico I of Naples succeeded Ferdinando II of Naples.
During the modern age, the lands of Sante Marie, included in the Duchy of Tagliacozzo, were under Spanish rule. In 1743, the Austrians also arrived in town.
Things to see in Sante Marie
The historic center of the town, the Casteglio area, is located at 850 meters above sea level, and the town is animated by some churches whose artistic and architectural beauty is a must-see: the Church of Our Lady of Grace, the Church of Saint John the Baptist, and the Church of Santo Stefano. The Church of Our Lady of Grace is a majestic church with a baroque architecture that will steal your heart. The Church of Saint John the Baptist and the Church of Santo Stefano, on the other hand, are simpler but equally fascinating churches.
Food and wine in Sante Marie
The cuisine of Sante Marie is very interesting and satisfies the palate of every lover of good food. In addition to typical Abruzzese dishes, including Guitar pasta, pecorino di Fossa cheese, porchetta, and liver sausage, the town is famous for chestnuts and porcini mushrooms. Moreover, the area keeps the tradition of olive oil alive, which means that you can enjoy the unique taste of superior quality products.
Conclusions
Sante Marie is a small town with an invaluable historical and natural heritage. With its wide range of outdoor activities, Sierra Mary offers you a great opportunity to fully experience the nature all around you. Moreover, for all nature lovers, Sante Marie is a well-hidden treasure where you can spend time immersed in the beauty of the Abruzzo Apennines.
