After our visit to Gran Sasso National Park we returned to our base in the little town of Fontecchio in Abruzzo’s northwest.

Not far from the regional capital L’Aquila, Fontecchio is a lovely village with a long history. Our friends had invited us to join them there for a few days, and of course, being able to share it with them made the experience very much richer.

Fontecchio
Fontecchio sits high above the Aterno River, one of many small villages dotted along this valley
Fontecchio sits high above the Aterno River, one of many small villages dotted along this valley
In 1647 Fontecchio was besieged by fierce Spanish troops; the townspeople locked the gates and kept the invaders at bay - for 50 days
In 1647 Fontecchio was besieged by fierce Spanish troops; the townspeople locked the gates and kept the invaders at bay - for 50 days
Legend has it that the siege ended when the Baroness Corvi took aim from a window of her castle and killed the leader of the invaders with a single musket shot
Legend has it that the siege ended when the Baroness Corvi took aim from a window of her castle and killed the leader of the invaders with a single musket shot
One reason Fontecchio was able to hold out for so long was that, unlike many others, this village had fresh water inside the walls
One reason Fontecchio was able to hold out for so long was that, unlike many others, this village had fresh water inside the walls
This small piazza, just outside the medieval centre, was a hub of activity in the Middle Ages; villagers would bring their washing to the water troughs just on the left, and each evening shepherds would walk their sheep up the path on the right, water their animals here, then lead them safely inside for the night locking the city gate behind them
This small piazza, just outside the medieval centre, was a hub of activity in the Middle Ages; villagers would bring their washing to the water troughs just on the left, and each evening shepherds would walk their sheep up the path on the right, water their animals here, then lead them safely inside for the night locking the city gate behind them
A medieval shop with the small opening above the counter
A medieval shop with the small opening above the counter
The home of our friends, Franco and Patrizia; this part of the house was originally a grain mill (the bread oven was upstairs); the archway in the middle of the room was built using pre-Roman techniques
The home of our friends, Franco and Patrizia; this part of the house was originally a grain mill (the bread oven was upstairs); the archway in the middle of the room was built using pre-Roman techniques
Fontecchio was badly damaged in the earthquake of 2009
Fontecchio was badly damaged in the earthquake of 2009
There's a small museum in the town that pays tribute to the 308 people who died that morning in nearby L'Aquila, the regional capital
There's a small museum in the town that pays tribute to the 308 people who died that morning in nearby L'Aquila, the regional capital
Before the quake, hundreds of people lived in Fontecchio's historic centre; nine years later only three or four families have so far returned
Before the quake, hundreds of people lived in Fontecchio's historic centre; nine years later only three or four families have so far returned
Many people live just outside the walls though, in the 'new' part of town
Many people live just outside the walls though, in the 'new' part of town
Gatherings like this one are regular events; the houses are small so tables and chairs are set out in the street (propped up with whatever's handy to make them more or less level), friends arrive, food and wine is served and conversation flows
Gatherings like this one are regular events; the houses are small so tables and chairs are set out in the street (propped up with whatever's handy to make them more or less level), friends arrive, food and wine is served and conversation flows
One evening we went to a small concert at a village a bit further along the valley
One evening we went to a small concert at a village a bit further along the valley
As the sun set food was offered, wine was served and then the concert began
As the sun set food was offered, wine was served and then the concert began
These accordian (fisarmonica) players entertained us with a program of classical, contemporary and original music; it was a great night in a wonderful location
These accordian (fisarmonica) players entertained us with a program of classical, contemporary and original music; it was a great night in a wonderful location
L'Aquila
L'Aquila is named for the abundant water supplies in the region (despite the fact that 'aquila' means 'eagle' in English) and water is celebrated here; this is the spectacular Fontana Luminosa, an important landmark in the city since the 1930s
L'Aquila is named for the abundant water supplies in the region (despite the fact that 'aquila' means 'eagle' in English) and water is celebrated here; this is the spectacular Fontana Luminosa, an important landmark in the city since the 1930s
And this is the medieval 'Fountain of 99 Spouts' (L'Aquila was established by the federation of 99 surrounding villages); here's Greg helping a group of Dutch tourists record their visit
And this is the medieval 'Fountain of 99 Spouts' (L'Aquila was established by the federation of 99 surrounding villages); here's Greg helping a group of Dutch tourists record their visit
And this is our pic for posterity :)
And this is our pic for posterity 🙂
The deadly earthquake in 2009 devastated the city of L'Aquila
The deadly earthquake in 2009 devastated the city of L'Aquila
And while many buildings have been restored, the work is ongoing (we counted at least 50 cranes on the skyline)
And while many buildings have been restored, the work is ongoing (we counted at least 50 cranes on the skyline)
The 15th century Basilica di San Bernadino was badly damaged
The 15th century Basilica di San Bernadino was badly damaged
Restoration work here took six years and the church was finally re-opened in 2015
Restoration work here took six years and the church was finally re-opened in 2015
Restoration projects like this are important recovery milestones for the people of L'Aquila
Restoration projects like this are important recovery milestones for the people of L'Aquila
After the earthquake precious treasures were rescued from damaged churches across the city and, ultimately, displayed so people could still see and enjoy them
After the earthquake precious treasures were rescued from damaged churches across the city and, ultimately, displayed so people could still see and enjoy them
Many, like the statue on the left, have been painstakingly restored (some were in hundreds of pieces); all will be returned as the churches are re-opened - this beautiful Madonna and child are shortly heading back to the Basilica of Santa Maria Collemaggio
Many, like the statue on the left, have been painstakingly restored (some were in hundreds of pieces); all will be returned as the churches are re-opened - this beautiful Madonna and child are shortly heading back to the Basilica of Santa Maria Collemaggio
The Collemaggio is one of L'Aquila's most beautiful and most important churches
The Collemaggio is one of L'Aquila's most beautiful and most important churches
Pope Celestine V was inaugurated here in 1294, but he didn't last long
Pope Celestine V was inaugurated here in 1294, but he didn't last long
An elderly religious hermit, Celestine didn't want the job of Pope (it's a long story) and gave it up after just five months
An elderly religious hermit, Celestine didn't want the job of Pope (it's a long story) and gave it up after just five months
As part of the papal and political intrigue of the time, Celestine was then imprisoned by his successor; less than a year later he was killed by a stake driven through his forehead (a bad end for someone who'd been happy in his solitary life in the hills)
As part of the papal and political intrigue of the time, Celestine was then imprisoned by his successor; less than a year later he was killed by a stake driven through his forehead (a bad end for someone who'd been happy in his solitary life in the hills)
From her position high on a pillar in the Collemaggio, what marvels and madness this weary beauty must have witnessed through the centuries!
From her position high on a pillar in the Collemaggio, what marvels and madness this weary beauty must have witnessed through the centuries!