When asked what to do in Celano?

We have already partly answered in the previous section on “what to see”, but here, repeating ourselves for a moment, we add many other very nice goodies. First of all, however, we recommend visiting Celano over several days, as one day is not enough to see everything, the town, albeit small, really has a lot of stuff.

 

Museo Le Paludi di Celano. (Immagine personale)

 

First of all, I recommend starting with a visit to the two museums of the town, first of all to the Le Paludi museum just outside Celano, as by admiring the many historical finds present one can get a precise idea of the history of the Marsican territory from the Paleolithic to the Roman.

 

 

Il castello di Celano oggi. (Immagine personale)

Le mura del castello di Celano. (Immagine personale)

 

Then go to the second museum, the Marsica museum, at the Celano castle. Once you get to the top of the town you are immediately enraptured by the majesty of the manor of Celano. A real glance of an imposing and harmonious structure with the surrounding area.

 

 

 

Cortile interno del castello e museo della Marsica. (Immagine personale)

 

Una delle sale della sezione di Arte Sacra del Museo della Marsica. (Immagine personale)

 

Once you enter the castle, explore the two museum sections, the Sacred Art collection of the Marsica and the Torlonia Collection, a true pearl of Roman culture in this area.

Then we recommend proceeding with a tasting of the Marsican products present here in Celano, going to one of the many small restaurants in the town. You will taste typical first courses of the place and then second courses made with local mutton, veal and pork cooked in many ways. Then the typical and hearty desserts of the Marsican area. Don’t forget to taste the local liqueurs, real health drinks.

 

Vicolo di Celano. (Immagine personale)

La piazza centrale di Celano oggi.

 

After having satisfied yourself with the local products, proceed with a visit to the town, getting lost in the numerous alleys and squares of Celano in a continuous up and down. Every now and then you will come across a church that are real treasures of art and culture.

 

 

La chiesa di Santa Maria Valleverde. (Immagine personale)

 

The  churches of Celano are many and very beautiful and as a whole they cover a long period that goes from the 11th century to the present day. Among all we recommend a visit to the 16th century church of Santa Maria di Valleverde containing paintings from the Renaissance period, the 11th century church of Santa Maria delle Grazie containing many precious works and then the 14th century church of S. Angelo decorated internally with the late Baroque style typical of the late eighteenth-century renovation.

 

 

Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie. (Immagine personale)

 

As mentioned elsewhere, however, apart from the many precious city monuments, the strength of this locality lies in its natural environment and in its medieval structure. Having already seen its feudal structure previously, all that remains is to visit its natural environment.

 

 

Celano oggi. (Immagine personale)

 

Celano is a locality that is the starting point for numerous historical and naturalistic excursions. The naturalistic aspect can be well appreciated by visiting the Celano Gorges, which are a real canyon formed over hundreds of thousands of years thanks to the enormous force of the waters, which have always been abundantly present here in the Marsica.

 

 

Le Gole di Celano.

(Immagine da https://comune.celano.aq.it/contenuti/165224/gole-celano#lg=1&slide=5)

 

In some way, water is an element that often recurs in Celano’s excursions and this without going too far, given the presence of two very pure water sources in the town.

Monte La Serra visto da Santa Jona. (Immagine personale)

 

For trekking lovers, if you have the desire and strength, you can climb Mount La Serra di Celano, from whose balconies it is possible to admire a splendid panorama overlooking the Fucino plain. While for history lovers with a capital S in the surroundings of Celano there are numerous historical sites such as the ancient fortress of Celano destroyed by Frederick II in 1223, or the hermitage of San Marco,

 

Eremo di San Marco.

(Immagine da https://turismo.comune.celano.aq.it/contenuti/189559/monastero-celestiniano-san-marco-foci)

 

or even the fortress of Monte Foce, where once there was a large fortified village. Many of these excursions can also be done on horseback and this is certainly an added value.

 

 

Corteo medievale a Celano.

(Immagine da https://www.marsica-web.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CORTEO-MEDIEVALE-CELANO-2.jpg)

 

If you come in the summer, don’t miss the numerous festivals and historical representations of Celano, or the patronal festivals, which are always very sumptuous. In winter, however, Celano lends itself well as a base for going to the ski areas of Ovindoli and Rocca di Cambio.

 

However, the advice always remains the same, this is a country that to be appreciated must be done calmy, taking the right time and you will see that Celano will not disappoint you.

 

So what are you waiting for, come to Celano!!!