castle hotels in L'Aquila: a Historical Journey of Modern Times

Castle Hotels are in a group of their own for people in search of more than just a rest to relax and do sightseeing, more than a hotel room with a swimming pool and air conditioning – a out of the ordinary experience within reach in many places worldwide at low-cost prices: today journeys to different and far away countries are financially within reach and simple to prepare thanks to the web and the endless supply of materials at one’s disposal on the Internet.

Castle Hotels propose the seducement and gracefulness of gone days, chambers and dungeons with generations of history and thousands of stories to tell: ancient and noble family homes and estates transformed into special travel destinations to satisfy the quest for knowledge and learn ancient traditions and behaviors: we learn from our past and by doing so shed light on our future.

There are literally thousands of castle hotels in the world today – most of them are concentrated in the heart of Europe richest in history and castle building traditions. Owners of castles were rich and powerful families wanting to demonstrate publicly their riches Castles were also built as a means of defense against enemies during the numerous wars over the centuries which took place starting as early as the iron age when the romans invaded England.

Many Great castles were built during the dark ages of the medieval period. Following the long and slow medieval age, Renaissance renewed faith in man and his means, offering unprecedented opportunities, prosperity and riches offered aristocrats and merchants the possibility to build their very own castle. The initiative spread quickly throughout the aristocrats of Europe and architects flocked to Italy to master innovative building techniques and returned to their own countries with new ideas.

Today Castle Hotels are an charming destination not only for their natural historical value, but also for their distinctive positions which make hotels exclusive retreats for a top quality holiday.

Santo Spirito is a Monastery, now one of the few hotels in Abruzzo near l’Aquila, a Cistercian settlement. Santo Spirito was built in 1222 on land offered by Count Berardo of Ocre by Placido of Roio. After the founder’s death in 1248, the monastery came under the auspices of the Cistercian Order and the Convent of Santa Maria in Casanova, near Penne.

Later on in 1330 Santo Spirito was given in trust to Maffeo and Francesco Barberini 2 Cardinals; in 1652 it was included in the list of the small monasteries abolished by Pope Innocent X.

Santo Spirito is isolated from the surrounding mountain landscape by tall massive walls surrounding the entire landscape. The internal space opens onto a square courtyard, originally a cloister and accommodating on each side, in the Cistercians convention, the church, the refectory, the dormitory and the chapter-room.

The Monastery of Santo Spirito is one of few castle hotels in central Italy and Abruzzo with a spectacular view of the Gran Sasso d’Italia, the highest peak of the central Apennine mountain range.

Informal and comfortable are 2 adjectives which describe Santo Spirito very well – words often used by Guests after a stay be it for a family holiday or a romantic week end. Informal and discrete hospitality combined with numerous outdoor activities (horseback riding, trekking and bike riding) make the Monastery of Santo Spirito an attractive location for those passionate about castle hotels and the outdoors.

This Hotel in the heart of the Abruzzo region is open all year around for cool relaxed summer holidays and warm winter evenings after a day out skiing on the slopes.

Santo Spirito is also the ideal location for weddings in Italy

Request Further Information and book castle hotels in L'Aquila

[gravityform id=11 title=true description=true]

Tags: castle hotels in L'Aquila