Village of Campli (TE)

Province: Teramo - Elevation: 393 Population: 7356

The town is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park, in the centre of Valley of Tordino. It is essentially medieval with the Farnese Palace, now town hall office and the church of St. Francis, dating back the 14th century.

The splendid collegiate church of St. Maria in Platea is the main sight with the beautiful bell tower made of tuff rock, a precious interior with wood roof and the central nave, painted by Donato Teodoro from Chieti. The most famous attraction is the Scala Santa (The Sacred Step), a staircase formed by 28 wooden steps, representing the 28 steps of the entrance of the Praetorium of Ponzio Pilato, before crucifixion. If climbed on ones knees, bring absolution of sins by decree of Pope Clement IV.

Nearby, in the district of Campovalano, a large necropolis was rediscovered with 200 graves dating back the 8th century BC; all the remains are on display in the National Museum of Archeology, in the former convent of St. Francis.