Villetta Barrea
The village is situated along the Sangro River and is overlooked by Monte Mattone. Like the other settlements of the area, Villetta Barrea has a long history, which is mostly connected with the Samnites. This ancient Italic people probably built the megalithic walls, which are still visible in a place called Fonte Regina. The town rose up around a small castle, erected at the end of the XIV century in the upper part of the village: the base of a circular defensive tower, which belonged to the original fortification, is still visible. Several noble dwellings dating back to the XVI and XVII century are worth visiting.
- Population: 596
- Elevation: 975 metres asl
Park centres
Didactic centre, projection hall, Museum of Transhumance and Water Museum (managed by local associations)
Walks and excursions
(H1) Villetta Barrea - Stazzo Affogato: 2 h, Medium
(H2) Villetta Barrea - L. Pantaniello: 4 h, Difficult
(H3) Villetta Barrea - Valico Colle Santo Janni: 30', Easy
Historic sites
Parish Church of Santa Maria; Church of San Michele; Church of San Sebastiano; Church of San Rocco.
Interesting places
Pinus nigra (black pine) wood, an ice age relict plant population; thousand-year old beech tree in Pantano, near Passo Godi.
Celebrations
Sant'Antonio Abate (January, 17th), blessing of the animals; San Sebastiano (January, 20th);
Transhumance Festival (June, 1st); San Vincenzo Martire, Patron Saint (first Sunday of July); Palio della stella (August, 12th); Santa Barbara (third Sunday of August); Corteo della Dodda (September, 6th); Nativity scene at the theatre (December, 29th); Orapi (wild spinach) festival (last weekend of July).
Gastronomy
Trout with white wine, beans and orapi (a variety of wild spinach), almond sweets
Villetta Barrea
(photo by: Valentino Mastrella, Archivio PNALM)
Villetta Barrea
(photo by: Valentino Mastrella, Archivio PNALM)
