The Activities
On the inside, guests can spend some hours of relaxation and strengthen their body and spirit. Maintain your resting regime or just unwind in the monastery’s leisure centre.
The reading room where, immersed in the reading and rocked by comfortable armchairs, guests can taste herbal teas.
The archaeological museum displays Roman and Norman remains discovered during restoration work in the Monastery and in the Castle, respectively.
Depending on the seasons, a vast array of local outdoor activities can be arranged: cross country skiing and walking trips with ski sticks, mountain climbing with crampons and ice axe, ski-touring (on Monte Ocre).
Horse riding, carriage, cycling or walking trips along nature trails can also be arranged: Il Grande Sentiero (The Long Nature Track) from the Altopiano delle Rocche to that of Campo Imperatore through “le Pagliare”, the valley of Aterno, the Tratturo (cattle-track) and the old town centres on the south side of Gran Sasso.
On the way, guided tours to the major artistic and naturalistic sites as well as gastronomic routes can be arranged.
Download here the Grande Sentiero (pdf)
Visits to Santo Spirito d’Ocre
Fossa, the Church of Santa Maria ad Cryptas, with the series of frescoes date from XII c., the Italic Necropolis.
Civita di Bagno, ruins of the Cathedral of S. Massimo
(11th -12th) and archaeological site.
Sant’Eusanio Forconese, Church of Sant’Eusanio founded in 7th – 8th and rebuilt in the 15th – 17th.
L’Aquila, chief town of Regione Abruzzo rich in historic and artistic heritage.
Bazzano, Church of Santa Giusta (13th) and Italic Necropolis.
Prata d’Ansidonia, archaeological excavations of Peltuinum, Church of San Pietro ad Peltuinum (12th – 13th) Church of San Nicola (13th).
Bominaco, Oratory of San Pellegrino with a series of fine frescoes dated back to XIII c., Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Assunta (12th – 13th)
Santo Stefano di Sessanio, fortified medieval village.
Rocca Calascio, scenic fortification dated back to 12th – 13th.
Annual events calendar
All year round, the surrounding villages organize various important events which are an attraction for all those who are fond of village festivals, excursions or of good music…
May-June: Chrono-climbing of the Altopiano della Rocche
July: Sagra del Forno (food cooked in wood-burning oven festival)
July/August: Internation Music Festival “Pietre che cantano”
July/August: The Patron Saint Feast
August: Summer in Ocre
October: Sagra della Castagna (the chestnut festival)
