 The place (A special thanks to Chris Bowman for the English text)
Approximately 34 km southwest of Aquila, on the plateau of Navelli, one finds the village of Caporciano. Of artistic merit is the Romanesque church of S. Peter. The building dates back to XII the century and it contains frescoes f rom the XV the century; the church itself was enlarged towards the end of century XIV. Furthermore, the main building in the village is the church of S. Benedict the Abbot. (Saint Benedict was the founder of the Benedictine order-a famous alumnus of this order was the Frenchman Dom Perignon, for whom the great champagne is named.)
This church was built over the remains of an old castle. (In fact, the bell tower adjacent to the church was once one of the castle's towers.) A few kilometres away is the small burg of Bominaco. From Bominaco castle's remnants one may easily see the higher peaks of the Abruzzi (the G ran Sasso, the Maiella, the Sirente and Velino). Bominaco also has inherited two old churches of artistic merit and an old castle.
They are the Benedictine churches of Saint Pellegrino and Santa Mary Assumed into Heaven. They date back to the Benedictine e monastery that existed around the X century when the town's name was Momenaco. The castle was built by Benedictine monks as a way to defend their property from the Saracens who would periodically raid this area from their strongholds further south.
Information: Altitude: 974 m a.s.l
-- Distance from L'Aquila: 35 km
-- Population: ca. 300 inhabitants
-- Zip code:
-- Phone Area Code: 0862
Click here for a map
History:
Although the area is of medieval origin, there are numerous archaeological reminders of Roman and other Italic peoples' presence in the area. (Note, the four major Italic tribes that inhabited the area were the Peligni, the Marsi, the Vestini and the Equi.) In fact the town's name is thought to come from 'Capo Giano" (literally "head of Janus". That is, the ancient Roman deity who could simultaneously see the past and the future) or from "Casa Porciana" (literally "house of pigs". No, it's not because of the terrible housekeeping ability of the local inhabitants. It in fact refers to the continued large number of wild boars that roam the woods in the area).
Sights & Excursions
The Church of Saint Peter in the Valley
The Church of Saint Benedict Abbot
The Oratory of S. Pellegrino (Bominaco)
The Church of The Assumption (Bominaco)
Events & Festivities
June Patronal Festivity of S. Benedict and S. Peter
15 August Festivity of The Assumption of Mary
18 September Festivity of S. Pellegrino
Hotels, Lodging, Restaurants
Restaurants
4A Via San Pietro, 67015 CAPORCIANO (AQ)
Opening times: all year long
Number of Rooms: 5 with bathroom
Number of Beds: 10
Restaurant: 20 persons
+39 0862 931394
| 
Province of L'Aquila > Caporciano 
){kind=link}