Villavallelonga

According to history and to archaeological findings, the first inhabitants of Villavallelonga (earlier known as Rocca d'Acero) were, around 1600 BC, groups of shepherds coming from a distant land in search of peace and independence. They became part of the Marsi population and participated in several wars as well as in the social struggle, and were granted Roman citizenship in acknowledgement of their valour. Villavallelonga became a proper village around the year 1000, and was named after its elongated shape at the foot of Monte Quaresima. In the XII century it was a Marsi feud, then it belonged to the Piccolomini family, Dukes of Amalfi, in the XVI century; it passed to the Dukes of Belforte, a Roman patrician family, until 1720, and finally to the Dukes Pignatelli.
In 1873 a portion of the privately owned surrounding mountains, namely Pratillo, Fossetta e Macchiatavana, formed the core of the Upper Sangro Valley Royal Reserve, which was the predecessor of the Abruzzo National Park.
After the establishment of the Park (1922) Villavallelonga co-founded the Condotta forestale marsicana.

Population: 949
Elevation: 1,005 metres asl

Park centres
Bear Centre with Local Park Office, museum, projection hall, discovery point, bear wildlife area, deer wildlife area.

Walks and excursions
(R1) Madonna della Lanna - Rifugio Prati d'Angro: 1 h 15', Easy
(R2) Vallone Fossato - Rifugio Coppo dell'Orso: 2 h, Medium
(R3) Madonna della Lanna - Valico Monna Rapanella: 2.5 h, Medium
(R4) Madonna della Lanna - Monte Marcolano: 3 h, Difficult
(R5) Prati d'Angro - Sorgente Puzza: 2 h, Medium
(R6) Prati d'Angro - Valico Aceretta: 1.5 h, Medium
(R7) Prati d'Angro - Vallone Acquaro: 45', Easy
(R8) Rifugio Prati d'Angro - Valico Schiena d'Asino: 2 h, Medium
(R9) Torr. Rosa - Vallone Ciafassa: 1 h, Easy
(R10) Torr. Rosa - Vali. Scopinaro: 1 h, Medium
(R11) Villavallelonga - Rif. Coppo dell'Orso: 4 h, Medium
(RN1) Sentiero Natura dell'Orso

Historic sites
Church of Madonna delle Grazie; the "dead elm", which the inhabitants of Villavallelonga consider as a veritable monument.

Interesting places
Botanical garden dedicated to Loreto Grande. Ruins of the Marsi civilization

Celebrations
Sant'Antonio Abate (January, 16th-17th); Santi Leucio, Rocco, Nicola (September, 1st-4th); Madonna della Lanna (last Sunday of April).

Traditions
Sheep festival (second Sunday of August); distribution of fava beans and "frascareje" (January, 12th-15th); panarda di Sant'Antonio Abate (January, 16th); ballo della pupazza; masked parade (January, 17th).

Gastronomy
Frascareje (crumbled dough made with wheat, water and eggs, boiled and seasoned with sheep meat sauce and cheese), ceci granati (legume soup), acqua cotta, pizza i brebba (flatbread made with corn wheat, sausages and bacon).