Village of Guardiagrele (CH)

Province: Chieti - Elevation: 576 Population: 10120

The poet Gabriele D'Annunzio describes Guardiagrele "the stone town" - it is an interesting destination, in which culture and the local handicraft are still vivid. It is the foothill of National Park of Majella and it offers breathtakingly beautiful panoramic views, from the mother mountain Majella to the Adriatic sea.

The town is famous for its wrought-iron craft, copper craft and gold-work, indeed it is the birthplace of the great goldsmith and sculptor Nicola di Andrea Gallucci, known as Nicola da Guardiagrele.

Elegant and refined palaces still decorate the town, such as the 18th century Palazzo Vitacolonna and the Palace Liberatoscioli, built in the 1920, a unique expression of Art Nouveau.

The main building of the town is the collegiate church of St. Maria Maggiore, built at the beginning of the 13th century, with its majestic facade characterized by a massive bell tower and amazing portal. The church houses an interesting museum with valuable liturgical objects, belonging to the Naples handicraft school and a golden silver processional cross made by Nicola da Guardiagrele.

The church of St. Francesco is considered a treasure of the 14th century with the main altar of 13th century made of red marble sarcophagus from Verona. Next to the church there are the cloister and other monastic constructions, now the actual town hall offices.

The archeological museum in St. Francesco square is very engrossing with architectural remains and sculptures of the necropolis of Comino, at the foot of Majella mountain.

During August in the town there is an important handicraft exhibition of the Abruzzo region with pottery objects, wrought-iron crafts, copper crafts,  wood and stone made objects, gold works and also valuable textiles. Browsing through local shops it is possible to see the manufacture of wrought-iron and copper crafts, according to the ancient tradition.

Finally indulge in culinary delights, such as the famous Sise delle Monache, a local sponge cake filled with cream and sprinkled with icing sugar.

Few kilometers from Guardiagrele there is the district of Bocca di Valle with the military memorial monument carved out of the rock in 1923.