Opi

Set in a wonderful natural amphitheatre and surrounded by wooded mountains, Opi still preserves the characteristics of a medieval village, and owes its peculiarity to its position and its archaeological value. Human presence in the territory of Opi dates back to very ancient times, as shown by the remains of fortifications within today's residential area, by the numerous archaeological finds from the Necropolis in Val Fondillo, and by the remains of what was probably a temple in Casali and Fonte delle Lecina.

Population: 520
Elevation: 1,250 metres asl

Park centres
Chamois Centre with Museum and wildlife area (under construction)

Walks and excursions
(E1) La Madonnina - Portella: 1 h, Easy
(E2) La Madonnina - Colli Bassi: 1.5 h, Easy
(E3) Le Casette - Colli Alti: 2 h, Medium
(E4) Colli Mandrilli - C.le Frassineto: 20', Easy
(E5) La Madonnina - C,le Frassineto: 1 h, Easy
(E6) Le Casette - V.te Marsicano: 4 h, Difficult
(F1) Grotta Fondillo - M.te Amaro: 2 h, Difficult
(F2) Grotta Fondillo - Valico Passaggio dell'Orso: 2.5 h, Medium
(F3) Grotta Fondillo - Colle Frassineto: 1.5 h, Easy
(F4) Colle Frassineto - Vale Fredda: 1h, Easy
(F5) Acquasfranatara - Valico delle Gravare: 3 h, Medium
(F6) Acquasfranatara - Valico Inguagnera: 1 h, Medium
(F7) Valle Fredda - Il Coppo: 30', Easy
(F8) Alta Valle Fredda - Valico Monte la Felcia: 1 h, Medium
(F9) Valle Fredda - Valle Inguagnera: 3h, Medium
(FIO) Ponte Forcone - Monte Marsicano: 4 h, Difficult
(FN1) Sentiero Natura Val Fondillo

Historic sites
Cappella di S. Giovanni (St. John's chapel, XVII century); Church of Santa Maria Assunta (XIII century); Town hall; Palazzo Bevilacqua.

Interesting facts
On St. John's day, people traditionally present each other with cicciotti, a mix of wheat, dry fava beans, boiled chickpeas and corn.

Celebrations
San Giovanni Battista and San Vincenzo Ferreri, patron saints and protectors of Opi, are celebrated on June 24th and 25th. Sant'Emidio and Madonna delle Grazie are celebrated on the second Sunday of September, and Santa Teresa and Madonna del Rosario on the first Sunday of October.
On Christmas Eve, after the Holy Mass, people gather in front of the church and a big bonfire, called "le Catozze" is lit in honour of the infant Jesus.
January 17th is Sant'Antonio, when peasants are used to have their animals blessed.
In August the dumplings festival takes place, a big feast during which many tourists crowd the tables set up by Pro Loco (the association for the promotion of the town), to taste the dumplings skilfully prepared by local homemakers.

Traditions
"Catozze", the bonfire on Christmas Eve

Gastronomy
m'paniccia, pecora al cotturo (stewed sheep meat), m'cisca, dried sheep meat, cauliflower croquettes, cicatelli con le foglie, ricotta and pecorino cheese. Sweets: tanozzi, torroncini, sanguinacci con riso, cicirchiata.