OTHER TOWNS

PACENTRO

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PARK TOWNS Abbateggio Ateleta Bolognano Campo di Giove Cansano Caramanico Terme Civitella M. R. Corfinio Fara San Martino Gamberale Guardiagrele Lama dei Peligni Lettopalena Manoppello Montenerodomo Pacentro Palena Palombaro Pennapiedimonte Pescocostanzo Pizzoferrato Popoli Pratola Peligna Pretoro Rapino Rivisondoli Roccacasale Rocca Pia Roccaraso Salle Sant' Eufemia San Valentino   Serramonacesca Sulmona Taranta Peligna Tocco da Casauria NEARBY TOWNS Alanno Cepagatti Cugnoli Nocciano Pietranico Roccamontepiano Rosciano Scafa Turrivalignani

Pacentro, in the province of L'Aquila, is a typical medieval center located in the heart of Abruzzo in the west-central section of the Maiella National Park.  Situated on the western slopes of the Morrone group at an elevation of 1200 feet, the town has a population of 1405.  Pacentro may have been built over the ancient Peligni settlement of Pacino; the Peligni were a pre-Roman Italic tribe which inhabited this area.  The first recorded mention of the town is in a 12th century document. The oldest part of the town is one of the best-preserved medieval centers in the region.  On the highest part of this section sit the ruins of the Cantelmo Castle (photo, bottom left), named for one of the feudal families that once controlled Pacentro.  A square fortress built in the 14th century and once surrounded by a moat, it is notable for its three high towers, added in the 15th century.  Just below the castle are narrow winding medieval streets (photo, bottom right), filled with old houses and little churches.  The oldest church in the town is that of San Marcello.  It was founded in the year 1047, but was later destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1166. At the foot of this section remains the ancient gate to the town, which marks where the surrounding defensive wall was.  Also below the castle, in the Piazza del Popolo, stands the church of Santa Maria Misericordia (see photo, bottom center).  A 15th century building with a 16th century exterior, it contains a splendid carved wooden pulpit.  Also in this piazza are the 16th century town hall and several lovely palazzi or mansions: those of the Cercone-Liscio, Cercone and Borsilli families. A more recent claim to fame for Pacentro is the fact that it was the ancestral home of the family of Madonna Louise Ciccone, or "Madonna," the American singer; her grandfather emigrated from Pacentro to the U.S.

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Palena

Nocciano