Village of Tagliacozzo (AQ)

Province: L'Aquila - Elevation: 740 m - Population: 6452

The name of the town derives from Latin: talus (cut) and cotium (rock), the cut in the rock and it represents the fissure in the mountain, the current urban settlement.

The town is famous for its battle fought in Scurcola Marsicana in 1268 between Conradin of Hohenstaufen and the army of Charles of Anjou. The battle represented the last act of Hohenstaufen power in Italy.

It is a typical mountain village with many buildings of the medieval and Renaissance period and it has preserved the old five portals.

The main sights are the 13th century fountain in the beautiful Piazza dell'Obelisco, a national monument, the Convent of St. Francis erected in 15th century, housing the tomb of Tommaso da Celano and Palazzo Ducale, a Renaissance palace with a magnificent chapel and loggia, built by Roberto Orsini in the 15th century.

The ruins of the old fortress, once represented the border between the State of the Church and the Kingdom of Naples, nowadays simply overlook the splendid village.

Nearby the town sets the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima dell'Oriente with the Byzantine art picture representing the Virgin and the Child dating back the 13th century. The Sanctuary houses the interesting Oriental Museum with a fascinating collection of Egyptian and Oriental antiques, coins and stamps collections.