Picinisco

Picinisco is a medieval mountain village, located on a lovely ridge in the Mount Meta range, surrounded by beech trees, thick chestnut woods and oak woods. The main square constitutes a natural "balcony" overlooking the picturesque Comino Valley, which keeps the untouched charm of a simple life.

Population: 1,206 piciniscani
Elevation: 725 m

Park centres
Local office

Walks and excursions
(N1) Prati di Mezzo - Passo dei Monaci: 1.30 h, Medium
(N2) Prati di Mezzo - Valle Venafrana: 2 h, Medium
(N3) Pratolungo - Valico di Monte Altare Tartaro: 2.30 h, Difficult
(N4) Valle Venafrana - Lago di Selvapiana: 2 h, Medium
(N5) Forestelle - San Gennaro: 3.30 h, Difficult

Historic sites
The old town, built around the castle erected by the Counts of Aquino; the castle features merlon-crowned walls and towers, and can be accessed through four monumental gates (Codarda, Saracina, Rione and Piazza). Church of San Rocco (XVI century). Town Hall. Church of San Lorenzo along Via Maggiore: the church has a stone staple, Romanesque apse, XIX century façade with huge lesenes and corbels. Roman bridge along the path of Ponte Le Branche.

Interesting facts and places
English writer D.H. Lawrence stayed in the village and drew inspiration from it for his novel "The lost girl". The country house where the writer stayed in 1919 is today a holiday farm.

Celebrations
San Lorenzo, Patron Saint (August 10th); Patron Saints festivals in the hamlets; Maria Santissima di Canneto (August 20th and 21st, on occasion of the transit of pilgrims travelling to Canneto Valley); festival of pecorino cheese in August; "Estate Piciniscana".

Gastronomy
Pastone (savoury tart), pasta and orapi (wild spinach), abbuticchi (rolled lamb entrails), calascioni (puff pastry panzerotti filled with eggs and pecorino cheese), calascinetti (chestnut meal panzerotti), accompanied by a glass of good Maturano wine.