Attractions and Places To See around Gessopalena - Top 20

Historic Franciscan monastery in an oasis of peace. The Convento di San Pasquale (officially the monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli) is hidden in the greenery on the hill of Vallaspra, just outside the medieval town of Atessa. This impressive complex was founded as early as 1408 by the blessed Tommaso da Firenze. It is built entirely of natural stone and exudes a serene, historic atmosphere. Although the interior and the beautiful monastery garden with the central well (from 1709) are unfortunately often closed to the public due to varying opening hours, the complex is an absolute sight to behold from the outside. Under the large portico at the front, you can still admire a centuries-old fresco of the Pietà. Moreover, the quiet, shady surroundings are perfect for a well-deserved break during your sporting tour. Fun fact: the monastery used to lend its name to the well-known local herbal liqueur "Amaro San Pasquale", which was originally prepared by the monks with herbs from this valley.

Very suggestive caves, with competent and helpful tourist guides; the visit lasts about an hour and covers about 1 km entirely inside the cavities. The temperature is constant around 10°C, with 96% humidity: therefore, adequate clothing is recommended. Located at 1475 meters above sea level, they are reachable both on foot via a path and by a low-cost cable car. Once you get off the cable car, you need to climb about 250 steps to reach the cave entrance. It is important to buy the ticket in advance: visits are exclusively guided and available in specific time slots, which vary depending on the time of year. It is advisable to call before organizing an excursion, as the opening hours of the guided tours are limited.

Convent of S.Maria degli Angeli (S.Pasquale) in Vallaspra di Atessa (CH) In the name Vallaspra, Valle-aspra, one can sense the peculiarity of a wild and fruitless nature, but also the sedimentation of a troubled historical and religious with long periods of splendor and apostolate. The history of the Vallaspra convent is linked to the Franciscan spirit and the incessant work of evangelization of the observant Friars Minor. Way back in 1408, Tommaso da Firenze, lay friar and secretary of Father Nicola da Osimo, commissioner of the province of Sant'Angelo in Puglia, stopped his wanderings in the Frenta area, in front of an ancient Cona depicting the Madonna of Sorrows with the Dead Christ and on the sides Saint John and Saint Francis on the right, Mary Magdalene and Saint Anthony of Padua on the left, venerated in a barren and wild place, precisely Vallassero di Atessa. Conquered by the evocative sacredness of the place and the profound meaning of this Pietà, Frà Tommaso began the construction of the first nucleus of the convent, which was completed and inaugurated just ten years later, in 1430. The convent of Vallaspra dedicated by Frà Tommaso to Santa Maria degli Angeli , not only in the dedication, but above all in the architectural structures, preserves the cleanliness of the Franciscan forms. The church, with a central nave and a side one, was enriched, in the early 1700s, with a chapel dedicated to San Pasquale Baylon (Spanish), a lay Franciscan, canonized in 1860, in honor of the Contestabile Colonna; the latter changed the title of the convent and San Pasquale simply, rather than Vallaspra, indicates the locality and the monastic complex. Over the centuries the structure was a woolen mill (the Franciscan habit was produced there); operating for more than a century and closed in 1675, it was linked to the intense period of traffic along the herd arteries. Over the years, the Convent of S.Pasquale became an important center of theological studies. Today, the Convent transmits a strong sense of belonging, of religious, spiritual and cultural identity; characteristics, the latter, which make it a solid, safe reference center, as well as a pole of aggregation, prayer and apostolate.

Fontana

Coming from the Fara San Martino gorges, the route becomes less narrow, even if it requires concentration and caution. We then arrive at the Vallone di Santo Spirito, where we find an area with tables and water fountains for resting.

The Fara San Martino Gorges are one of the most fascinating places in the Majella, with a network of easy-to-follow paths.

After passing the narrow gorges of Fara San Martino the path widens and opens onto the Santo Spirito Valley. Along the route there are wooden tables and frozen water fountains. Legend has it that Fra Martino opened the mountain with his elbows to create an opening and allow the local inhabitants to reach the grassy clearings at the top of the mountain. Walking in these places you perfectly understand the origin of the legend. Magical places!

The gorges of Fara San Martino are among the most evocative and accessible places of the Majella. The route inside the gorges is easy and suitable for families. It allows you to get to know the mountain from the inside, through its very high rocks. For those who love challenges, from here they can undertake the climb to the summit of Mount Amaro and face the highest altitude difference in the Apennines!