Villalago
Welcome to Villalago
Hello everyone! Are you ready to discover another beautiful Abruzzese town? Today I will tell you about Villalago, a small town with only 518 inhabitants located in the province of L'Aquila. Its location gives us a breathtaking view of the Sagittarius Gorge, but this is not the only reason why Villalago is worth a visit.
A brief history of Villalago
Before discovering all the beauties of this town, let's take a step back in time to learn about its history. Human presence in Villalago has been found since the Roman period, as demonstrated by the inscription found near the Benedictine monastery of the same name, dated to the 2nd century AD.
But the history of Villalago could be even older, as indicated by the remains of a primitive enclosure found in Villa Vecchia, east of the town. It is believed that this may have been part of an ancient fortified settlement of the Peligni, considering its elevated position.
During the Longobard period, Villalago was annexed to the Duchy of Spoleto and the Peligna region became Valvense. Over the centuries, the community continued to grow and prosper, until today, becoming part of the Peligna mountain community and the association of The most beautiful villages in Italy.
What to see in Villalago
But let's now move on to the things to see in Villalago! The small town offers really a lot, starting from Lake Scanno which is located right behind it, originated from a landslide of Mount Genzana. I recommend taking a walk along the lake shore to admire its beauty.
Among the other places to visit are the ancient Benedictine monastery of San Pietro and the parish church of Santa Maria della Stella, dating back to the 17th century. Both religious sites offer exceptional panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Finally, if you are art lovers, you cannot miss the Civic Archaeological Museum dedicated to the findings in the area, especially those related to the cult of Hercules, very widespread in the Sagittario Valley.
Historical insights on Val Flaturno
Villalago is part of Val Flaturno, a valley mentioned in the Chronicon Volturnense as assets offered to the abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno by the Duke of Spoleto Ildebrando in the 8th century. The population of the valley, which counted about 500 people divided into nine villages, was surveyed in 874.
Val Flaturno was an area that mainly lived on agriculture and breeding, but also on craftsmanship and trade. Over the centuries, the area has often been affected by wars and natural disasters, but its people have always been able to rise and rebuild.
Conclusions
Well, friends, that's all there is to know about Villalago and Val Flaturno. I hope I have made you better acquainted with this beautiful Abruzzese town and maybe inspired you to visit it! Remember to walk along the shores of Lake Scanno, admire the view from the church of Santa Maria della Stella and discover the treasures of the Civic Archaeological Museum. I assure you that you will not regret it!
