Barrea
Barrea is a small medieval town, perched on a spur 1066m above sea level. It overlooks the artificial lake of the same name and a natural amphitheatre formed by some of the Park's most beautiful mountains. As a defence from attacks, the town was built near the gorges of the Sangro River, around the Benedictine fortress monastery (Studio benedettino). Houses were entangled and disposed like a wall, making it impossible to enter the town anywhere else than through its two doors. Two great towers guarded the town: the Square Tower and the Round Tower, that are still there. Barrea is a perfect starting point for wonderful excursions, both to the wooded mountainsides, where fauna abounds, and to the higher and less populated south-facing areas, where rare flowers are to be found.
- Population: 864
- Elevation: 1,066 metres asl
Park centres
Local Park Office, Centre for birds of prey (under construction)
Walks and escursions
(J1) Convento dei Monaci - Fonte Sambuco: 1 h, Medium
(J2) Colle Ciglio - V. Jannanghera: 1 h, Medium
(J3) Colle Ciglio - Ponte nuovo di Civitella Alfedena: 1 h, Easy
(J4) Colle Ciglio - P.te del Diavolo: 1 h, Easy
(J5) F.te Canavelle - Rocca Chiarano: 3 h, Difficult
(J6) Valle lanara - L. Pantaniello: 3 h, Medium
(J7) Fonte Peschio di Creta - Lago Pantaniello: 3 h, Medium
(J8) Ponte del Diavolo - Scontrone: 3 h, Medium
(K1) Fonte Sambuco - Alfedena: 3 h, Medium
(K2) Fonte Sambuco - Lago della Montagna Spaccata: 1,5 h, Medium
(K3) Valico di Barrea - Valico Altare Tartaro: 5 h, Difficult
(K4) Valico di Barrea - Lago Vivo: 3 h, Medium
(K5) Sorgente delle Donne - L. Vivo: 2 h Medium
(K6) Fonte Sambuco - Rifugio Forca Resuni: 3 h, Difficult
(JN1) Sentiero Natura 'Centro Rapaci'
Historic sites
"Lo Studio" (ancient Benedictine Monastery); Parish Church of San Tommaso apostolo (XV century); Chiesa del Lago (Lake church) and old monastery, tower.
Interesting facts or places
Gorges of the Sangro River, called "Le foci"
Celebrations
Festa patronale di San Tommaso apostolo e di Santa Maria Santissima delle Grazie (Patron Saint festival); Madonna del Digiuno (February, 22nd), in remembrance of the legend, according to which a man saw St. Mary emerging out of the Sangro River.
Traditions
On occasion of weddings, a "Bride and groom's soup" is prepared; the festival of wild spinach (orapi) is one of the many events held in August; the passion play is staged every year at Easter, and is very moving and evocative, thanks to the natural scenery where it is played.
Gastronomy
Local soups and almond sweets
Province: L'Aquila Region: Abruzzi
Official Website www.comune.barrea.aq.it
