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Rocca Calascio

Italy Abruzzo CalascioRocca Calascio

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Pet-friendly Hotels in Calascio

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Affordable Hotels in Calascio

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The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)

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Trending Stays Worth the Hype in Calascio

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🚗 Setting off from Rome to Discover the Essence of Abruzzo! 🌟

EmilyEmily

250

Rocca Calascio is a mountaintop fortress accompanied by Santa Maria della Pieta, a church built in 1596. The fortress was built somewhere around 1140 above the town of Calascio, built around 816, currently half-abandoned due to a terrible earthquake in 2016. There is a restaurant or two still open, and the city below has many places to stop for a coffee, so it isn't too remote of a location. When you visit, don't be fooled by the signs pointing to a steep climb to the fortress - you can keep driving up the thin road until you find a parking lot in the shape of a half-circle on a cliff. That will save you a huge incline and twenty minutes on your hike. After you park, walk towards the city (there's one entrance) and look for signs that point to the fortress - the residents were especially helpful when they thought I was lost! You'll see the side of the fortress first, but arrive at the church first. Beyond the church are rolling hills and one of the best sunsets I've ever seen. Look behind you for the ruin. It's a small hike, and the biggest incline is inside the city and through the rocks on the way to Rocca Calascio. Mostly flat, but certainly bring shoes that are comfortable to scale rocks if you want to see the fortress up close. Medium effort for maximum views - if you find yourself with an extra afternoon or evening, I couldn't recommend this visit more.

Kino AlyseKino Alyse

Oh wow wow wow. This place is not too be missed!! The drive up is a little intimidated but you'll be grateful you made it up. We hiked to the top--Easy hike; we're in our 60s. It's spiritual and inspirational. You'll feel on top of the world. If you've never believed there's a God, this place should convince you there is a loving Creator. It's one of the most beautiful examples of Creation, which demonstrates God's love for us. Any hour is great, including sunset. Not 2 photos will be alike. We want to go back. It's easy to spend 2 hours on top. I don't think anybody lives in the town but the are shops. When we were here in early November it was cool and everything was closed. Free!!

A. GeeA. Gee

The most iconic place to visit in Abruzzo! It is free to visit and you must walk (uphill) to see it. Wear solid shoes and not flip flops. There is limited parking in the summer time but if you visit during off or shoulder seasons, you can be here completely alone. The restaurants and shops below the castle are only open during the summer. Suitable for small kids as long as you hold their hands because the path can be very rocky if you take the shorter route. A flat route is also available but takes longer. You can enter the interior of the castle for free but we left a small donation.

Cassie TreslCassie Tresl

Rocca Calascio is one of the most beautiful place in Abruzzo and it is next to another wonderful one which is called Campo Imperatore. It is really easy to get up there, you can start from the village of Calascio or, for the lazy ones :), directly from the borgo. I suggest to take your car or your bicycle and have a round in Campo Imperatore, it is known as the Italian Tibet! Just be careful sometimes when it's not tourist season it's hard to find something open so just take with you the necessary as food and water.

Rossella PovoloRossella Povolo

Amazing place with a stunning view, the castle ruins were set of many movies, Ladyhawke first of all, and deserves a visit. You can leave the car in the parking areas or take the bus shuttle nearby the town and then have a 15-20 minutes walk to the ruins or choose to walk from the picnic area and climb following the naturalistic path (around 50 min). No services are available ar the castle, but you can find bar, restaurants (taste local "arrosticini") and craftshops in the closest town.

Donatella MarraDonatella Marra

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Nearby Attractions Of Rocca Calascio

Church Santa Maria della Pietà

4.7

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Nearby Restaurants Of Rocca Calascio

Ristorante Da Clara

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Pane Amaro

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Trattoria Da Maria

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La Taberna di Rocca Calascio

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Address

67020 Calascio, Province of L'Aquila, Italy

Map

Phone

+39 0862 930132

Call

Website

roccacalascio.info

Visit

Overview

4.8

(5.5K reviews)

outdoor

cultural

adventure

Description

The Castle of Rocca Calascio is a mountaintop fortress or rocca in the municipality of Calascio, in the Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy. At an elevation of around 1,460 metres, the castle is the highest fortress in the Apennines.

🚗 Setting off from Rome to Discover the Essence of Abruzzo! 🌟

EmilyEmily

250

Rocca Calascio is a mountaintop fortress accompanied by Santa Maria della Pieta, a church built in 1596. The fortress was built somewhere around 1140 above the town of Calascio, built around 816, currently half-abandoned due to a terrible earthquake in 2016. There is a restaurant or two still open, and the city below has many places to stop for a coffee, so it isn't too remote of a location. When you visit, don't be fooled by the signs pointing to a steep climb to the fortress - you can keep driving up the thin road until you find a parking lot in the shape of a half-circle on a cliff. That will save you a huge incline and twenty minutes on your hike. After you park, walk towards the city (there's one entrance) and look for signs that point to the fortress - the residents were especially helpful when they thought I was lost! You'll see the side of the fortress first, but arrive at the church first. Beyond the church are rolling hills and one of the best sunsets I've ever seen. Look behind you for the ruin. It's a small hike, and the biggest incline is inside the city and through the rocks on the way to Rocca Calascio. Mostly flat, but certainly bring shoes that are comfortable to scale rocks if you want to see the fortress up close. Medium effort for maximum views - if you find yourself with an extra afternoon or evening, I couldn't recommend this visit more.

Kino AlyseKino Alyse

Oh wow wow wow. This place is not too be missed!! The drive up is a little intimidated but you'll be grateful you made it up. We hiked to the top--Easy hike; we're in our 60s. It's spiritual and inspirational. You'll feel on top of the world. If you've never believed there's a God, this place should convince you there is a loving Creator. It's one of the most beautiful examples of Creation, which demonstrates God's love for us. Any hour is great, including sunset. Not 2 photos will be alike. We want to go back. It's easy to spend 2 hours on top. I don't think anybody lives in the town but the are shops. When we were here in early November it was cool and everything was closed. Free!!

A. GeeA. Gee

The most iconic place to visit in Abruzzo! It is free to visit and you must walk (uphill) to see it. Wear solid shoes and not flip flops. There is limited parking in the summer time but if you visit during off or shoulder seasons, you can be here completely alone. The restaurants and shops below the castle are only open during the summer. Suitable for small kids as long as you hold their hands because the path can be very rocky if you take the shorter route. A flat route is also available but takes longer. You can enter the interior of the castle for free but we left a small donation.

Cassie TreslCassie Tresl

Rocca Calascio is one of the most beautiful place in Abruzzo and it is next to another wonderful one which is called Campo Imperatore. It is really easy to get up there, you can start from the village of Calascio or, for the lazy ones :), directly from the borgo. I suggest to take your car or your bicycle and have a round in Campo Imperatore, it is known as the Italian Tibet! Just be careful sometimes when it's not tourist season it's hard to find something open so just take with you the necessary as food and water.

Rossella PovoloRossella Povolo

Amazing place with a stunning view, the castle ruins were set of many movies, Ladyhawke first of all, and deserves a visit. You can leave the car in the parking areas or take the bus shuttle nearby the town and then have a 15-20 minutes walk to the ruins or choose to walk from the picnic area and climb following the naturalistic path (around 50 min). No services are available ar the castle, but you can find bar, restaurants (taste local "arrosticini") and craftshops in the closest town.

Donatella MarraDonatella Marra

Rocca Calascio

Plan your stay

Pet-friendly Hotels in Calascio

Affordable Hotels in Calascio

The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)

Trending Stays Worth the Hype in Calascio

Posts

🚗 Setting off from Rome to Discover the Essence of Abruzzo! 🌟

Nearby Attractions Of Rocca Calascio

Church Santa Maria della Pietà

Nearby Restaurants Of Rocca Calascio

Ristorante Da Clara

Pane Amaro

Trattoria Da Maria

La Taberna di Rocca Calascio

Calascino Cafè

Bar Al Nido Del Falco

Basic Info

Address

Phone

Website

Duration · 1.5h

Reviews

Overview

Ratings & Description

Description

🚗 Setting off from Rome to Discover the Essence of Abruzzo! 🌟