Italian state roads (strade statali) connect a lot of villages and areas, but unfortunately motorways are quicker so people are shifting away from them. Let’s take some time to revisit them. Strada statale 80 is part of the old Via Cecilia, the road that stretched from Rome to Castrum Novum (today’s Giulianova). In ancient times, this route was extremely valuable for livestock herding, as it was the road to pasture for herds on the Gran Sasso massif. It was called the Strada Maestra del Parco (Park Main Road) and embraces villages, mountains and archaeological sites. One of them is Amiternum, about 11 km away from L’Aquila (a little over one hour from Pescara or Teramo), is the main Roman Age archaeological site, with the remains of a theatre, an amphitheatre and the outline of a Roman domus.
Moving ahead along the state road sloping up amidst vegetation, you get to Arischia where you can go and see the Franciscan Monastery of S. Nicola in Arischia: it is currently closed although it is a real haven of beauty and a place of spiritual enchantment. In the village, you can visit the Fonte degli Archi (Fountain of Arches). It stands 3 metres high and 17 metres wide, and the water flowing into the first basin comes from the source of Forma Liscia, supplied by a very ancient acqueduct. Keep driving and you will reach Passo delle Capannelle, as the road starts to descend; just a few kilometres ahead there is a crossroads where we take the road to the Campotosto Lake, which we are going to see. Those who choose to visit the town of Campotosto, at 1420 metres above sea level, will have the evocative landscape of Campotosto opening up before their eyes. The long-stretching lake of pure, fresh water is surrounded by many picnic areas where you can relax and have lunch in the open air. You could even windsurf there, too. Despite the earthquakes and the severe damage inflicted, you will find shops offering local products along the way, typically selling premium cheese and cold cuts.
From Campotosto descending along the state road, the journey continues towards Teramo. The valley is narrow and charming, as the road stretches along dams and artificial lakes, to eventually arrive near ski resorts, where you can spend the night in the village of Pietracamela at a height of 1005 metres. It is called “the eagles nest” and rests right below the Corno Piccolo of the Gran Sasso d’Italia massif. The village’s main gate looks onto Cola di Rienzo square, where the fountain and the small Cappella dell'Annunziata stand.
Then you can climb up the Mount Calvario, which overlooks the village. Higher above, at approximately 1500 metres, the Prati di Tivo ski resort offers a magnificent view over the Gran Sasso. Local trattorias are excellent, as well as the hotels. In the summer, a 10-minute cable car ride will take you up to a height of 2000 metres, where you can enjoy a view over the whole of Abruzzo. If you love hiking in the mountains, a 1-hour walk will take you from the cable car arrival station to the Franchetti hut (2433 metres), which you can book for the night and enjoy a spectacular sunset and the sunrise.
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