Village of Celano (AQ)

Province: L'Aquila - Elevation: 800 m - Population: 10893

The town rises on top of the hill of St. Vittorino, facing the valley of Fucino and here takes place the grand and imposing castle erected in 1392, one of the most important in the whole region. Nowadays the castle houses the Museum of Sacred Art of the Marsica with paintings, sculptures and sacred jewellery. Celano is the birthplace of The Blessed Tommaso da Celano disciple of Saint Francis of Assisi, famous for the first biography of the saint.

The church of Santa Maria Valle Verde dates back to the XV century and houses the valuable library of Pietro Antonio Corsignani, many religious works of art, belonging to local monasteries in Abruzzo and to the convent of Celano, all related to the Order of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The village was represented in the fresco "Morte del Cavaliere di Celano" by Giotto in the cathedral of Assisi.

In 1985 Celano was the main location of the movie "Yado" of Richard Fleischer with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Brigitte Nielsen.