When asked what to see in Balsorano, the answer is simple, first of all its castle and then let yourself be conquered by the rocky nature of the municipality of Balsorano.

 

Il castello di Balsorano. (Immagine personale)

Let’s start from the castle as mentioned in the descriptive part, the manor of Balsorano is very old, as it dates back to the 10th century, but its current version dates back to the 15th century when the Piccolomini new counts of Celano deeply restructured it, practically originating a new castle , which at the beginning of the 16th century became a fantastic Renaissance residence. Well, the visit to the castle alone is worth a walk in Balsorano.

 

La catena montuosa della Serralunga. (Immagine personale)

 

Below you can immerse yourself in the fantastic nature and geology of the area to admire and experience by going on an excursion to the mountains that surround Balsorano, which are tiring to travel, but with a valid guide in tow, it is possible to cross them safely. However, there are routes for all fatigue limits, just choose them.

 

La catena montuosa dei Monti Ernici visti da Balsorano. (Immagine personale)

 

And if you want to immerse yourself in a holiday of a religious nature, you can take a tour of the beautiful and hidden religious structures in the area. Not everyone knows that Balsorano is also an area of hermitages and monasteries. Regarding the monasteries, the ancient monastery of San Francesco is still active.

This dates back to the seventeenth century, but its structure is modern due to the earthquake of 1915, which completely destroyed the old religious center, which was rebuilt a few years later (1918) in another place, together with the church of the same name. Visiting the monastery it is possible to come across some sacred furnishings, originating from the ancient convent. Instead the ruins of the ancient convent are present in the locality of Ara and mountain Triane.

For the hermitages, on the other hand, we have two, which are however well hidden in the mountains, so to reach them it takes a good walk and I also allow myself to say a good guide. The hermitages in question are the Hermitage of the Grotta di S. Angelo and the Hermitage of S. Onofrio.

 

Santuario della grotta di Sant Angelo. (Immagine da Wikipedia)

 

Let’s start from the hermitage of the Grotta di S. Angelo which is located on the western side of M. Serralunga at 917 m a.s.l. This hermitage is the most famous cave sanctuary in the Roveto Valley. Few wall remains remain of the original Benedictine place.

The most recent and current structure dates back to the second half of the 18th century and the building is used as a refuge for pilgrims who flock there in the months of May and September on the occasion of the feasts of S. Angelo and S. Michele Arcangelo. The Hermitage can be reached on foot in about an hour’s walk.

The hermitage of S. Onofrio is instead located in the homonymous valley at the foot of Monte Breccioso and can be reached by following the CAI 20 path. a healthy rest, but above all satisfying at will.

 

Spaghetti alla Chitarra, tipico primo piatto balsoranese.

(Immagine da http://cuocoinfesta.blogspot.com/2015/03/spaghetti-alla-chitarra-con-ragu-di.html)

 

The Marsican cuisine of Balsorano is in fact very rich in specialties which, following the Marsican tradition, can satisfy all palates, even the most particular ones.

So come to Balsorano … a world awaits you …