Spoltore

province of Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy

history | sights | where to stay | events | news & links

The place

This quite large center rises on a hill between the Pescara and Saline rivers with a wonderful view of the Pescara valley. The northern part of the centre rose around the ancient castle, whose ruins can still be seen, while the southern part was made of terraced houses, whose outer walls created a kind of of fortified defence along the weaker side of the borough. Outside the village id the XV-century monastery of St. Francesco.

Information:

Altitude: 220 m a.s.l -- Distance from Pescara: 8 km -- Population: ca. 13000 inhabitants -- Zip code: -- Phone Area Code: 085 -- How to reach it: road: s.n. 16-bis from Pescara
motorway: A14 exit Pescara Nord

History:

In nearby Cavaticchio archaeological excavations have produced traces of the prehistoric inhabitants in the area, while there have been many findings of the Italic and Roman periods. After the barbaric invasions a first mention of a medieval settlement dates back to the Cartulario della Chiesa teramana (1000-1007) where "Speltore" is quoted. Throughout the Middle Ages Spoltore, situated along the itinerary connecting Ancona and Ascoli to Chieti and the Aterno harbor, was the basis for Greek and Venetian merchant and a meeting place for crusaders and pilgrims to the Holy Land. In the century it belonged to many feudal Lords: the Costanzos and de Riccardis in the XIV century, then it was donated to the city of Chieti, and in the century belonged by the Figliola family. In 1575 it was visited by Padre Serafino Razzi, and in the early XVII century Antonio and Giuseppe Toppi founded there the Accademia degli Insepolti, a cultural institute for the study of Greek and Latin literature.

Sights & Excursions

The ruins of the castle, in the highest part of the centre
Parish Church of S. Panfilo, with a fine portal and stuccos by Alessandro Terzani, canvases by Giuseppangelo Ronzi and a XVI century statue of the Madonna col Bambino.
Church of Madonna della Porta, with a wooden statue of the Virgin of the X century
Convent of San Francesco d'Assisi (XV century), with a brick facade and a fresco cycle telling the life of the saint
Church of San Francesco d'Assisi, attached to the convent, mostly Baroque in style

Events & Festivities

Pasqua: "Lo Scuocchio", traditional game consisting in crushing one's adversary's hard-boiled egg
August: "Spoltore Ensemble", shows, ballets, music, exhibitions and many other features
26 August: Feast of St. Teresa from Avila

Hotels, Lodging, Restaurants

Hotel Montinope

Genealogy, News & Links

Municipio, Spoltore (PE) - tel. (+39)
Parrocchia Spoltore (PE) - tel. (+39)
People researching in Spoltore

Newspaper articles on Spoltore