The village of Roccaspinalveti sits high up in the Frentani Mountains of southern Abruzzo. The views, as you approach Rocca, are dramatic and commanding, whether you are arriving from the east along the Treste River or north from the village of Guilmi. The wind farms immediately capture your attention, situated along the backdrop of mountains.  The vistas are far-reaching; from the ancient ruins of Rocca Vecchia, downward passed the Church of San Pietro, the pine forest of Colle della Scarpa to the noble tower of the Church of San Michele Arcangelo in the town center.  You move outward through the fraziones or neighborhoods along the ridge-lines, into the fields and olive groves. Looking towards the east is the blue of the Adriatic Sea and to the northwest the dramatic Majella Mountains. It is a stunning, expansive scene, sure to take your breath away.

Original Roccaspinalveti

Roccaspinalveti rises on the slopes of the Forra della Scarpa, in the upper valley of the Sinello river. Today’s village dates back to the nineteenth century, when the ancient town, remembered as Rocca Spina Oliveta in the eighteenth century and later called Rocca Vecchia, was abandoned due to the accentuation of erosive phenomena and rebuilt further downstream.

The old feudal palace and the remains of some houses can be recognized from the old town.

The outcrop archaeological finds, including two votive statues of the god Mars, document an archaic frequentation of the territory attributable to the presence of transhumant flocks or stations. Sabellic people may have created a first fortified center, then incorporated into medieval structures.

Almost halfway between Aia Bruna, site of the current Roccaspinalveti, and the ancient settlement, the ruins of the Church of San Pietro Apostolo are visible, of which it is possible to see the well-shaped jambs of the entrance portal in the main facade. According to oral sources, inside the nave, below the earth and the collapsing material, the original floor is still present.

PRESENT DAY ROCCASPINALVETI

The 19^th century parish church of the New Roccaspinalveti, located in the Piazza Roma,  is dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel.  Inside, preserved in the choir, is the treasured baroque organ, carved and gilded wood of the Neapolitan school. Also originating from this church comes a chiseled silver processional cross  (circa 1420) attributed to Nicola da Guardiagrele and his school, now preserved in the city of L’Aquila. Outside the church we can see a compelling example of a cropped bell tower.

Continuing along Corso Umberto, you reach the road directly into the mountains and, proceeding along this road, you will come to the Colle della Scarpa (912 msm), a pine forest with a picnic area. After a few kilometers, you arrive at the site of the old cemetery from which, following a path that runs partly along the Ritaglio, you enter the remains of the ancient village. The church, the ruins of a palace and surrounding houses are still visible from the abandoned center. Furthermore, the wide panoramic view of the valleys of the Sinello and Sangro rivers should not be underestimated. From this point it is possible to observe, on clear days, the Adriatic Sea, the Tremiti Islands, the Gargano promontory, the Majella and the Pescara River Valley.

Starting from the old city center, climb up to the Colle delle Croci and then to Colle dell’Albero (1316-1390 m s.l.m.) from which you can admire a beautiful and vast panorama. Also from the old site of Roccaspinalveti, following the south-east side of the mountain, it is possible to see numerous examples of human and pastoral housing and shelters (Quercialbucce uninhabited district). Starting from the capital, after a few kilometers, you reach the Acquaviva district, descending through Colle Moretto, turn left into the woods directly to reach the mouth of the small and picturesque Sinello lake (608 m above sea level).