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As enchanting as Santo Stefano is, in and of itself, the adventurous traveller wanting to see more, can take any of the roads leaving the village to find little known and magical places. These might be gifts from nature (mountains, valleys, unusual flora and fauna, spectacular views) or from man (castles and fortresses, medieval churches, ancient villages).
For those who are interested in physical activities, the area offers fantastic hiking, mountain and rock climbing, horseback riding, hang-gliding, kite flying, cross-country and downhill skiing, snow-shoeing.
Although there are innumerable places to discover around this area, here we will suggest just a few particularly interesting possibilities :
…..just 3 km. from Santo Stefano you can visit the Rocca di Calascio, which at 1500 m. above sea level is arguably the highest fortress in Europe. Built by the Piccolomini in the XV century as a watchtower to control the entire surrounding area, at least ten others fortifications are within its line of sight. Some may recognize the Castle from the film Lady Hawke starring Michelle Pfeiffer. From the top one can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the Gran Sasso.
….beginning just 2 km. above Santo Stefano is the Piana di Campo Imperatore, the largest highland plain in Europe, sometime referred to as a “little Tibet”. It stretches for circa 27 km. and reaches a maximum elevation of 2000 m., among the highest peaks in the Appennine range, including most majestically the Gran Sasso d’Italia with its elevation of circa 3000 m.
…. At circa 10 km. from Santo Stefano one can find le grotte di Stiffe, the largest and best known of the natural caverns in the province of L’Aquila. An underground stream of water accompanies the visitor along the entire 600 m. extension of the cave. Inside there are great cavities, swift rapids and spectacular waterfalls.
…..At 30 km. from Santo Stefano is the capital town of Abruzzo : L’Aquila . Among the many places to visit one might recommend the National Museum of Abruzzo in the XVI century Spanish fortress, the Franciscan basilica of S. Bernardino, the church of Santa Maria di Collemaggio with its Holy Door and the tomb of Pope Celestine V, the XIII century fountain of the 99 Cannelle.
For those who are interested in physical activities, the area offers fantastic hiking, mountain and rock climbing, horseback riding, hang-gliding, kite flying, cross-country and downhill skiing, snow-shoeing.
Although there are innumerable places to discover around this area, here we will suggest just a few particularly interesting possibilities :
…..just 3 km. from Santo Stefano you can visit the Rocca di Calascio, which at 1500 m. above sea level is arguably the highest fortress in Europe. Built by the Piccolomini in the XV century as a watchtower to control the entire surrounding area, at least ten others fortifications are within its line of sight. Some may recognize the Castle from the film Lady Hawke starring Michelle Pfeiffer. From the top one can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the Gran Sasso.
….beginning just 2 km. above Santo Stefano is the Piana di Campo Imperatore, the largest highland plain in Europe, sometime referred to as a “little Tibet”. It stretches for circa 27 km. and reaches a maximum elevation of 2000 m., among the highest peaks in the Appennine range, including most majestically the Gran Sasso d’Italia with its elevation of circa 3000 m.
…. At circa 10 km. from Santo Stefano one can find le grotte di Stiffe, the largest and best known of the natural caverns in the province of L’Aquila. An underground stream of water accompanies the visitor along the entire 600 m. extension of the cave. Inside there are great cavities, swift rapids and spectacular waterfalls.
…..At 30 km. from Santo Stefano is the capital town of Abruzzo : L’Aquila . Among the many places to visit one might recommend the National Museum of Abruzzo in the XVI century Spanish fortress, the Franciscan basilica of S. Bernardino, the church of Santa Maria di Collemaggio with its Holy Door and the tomb of Pope Celestine V, the XIII century fountain of the 99 Cannelle.
Residence Villa Valsi : Via D'Annunzio, 17 - 67020 Santo Stefano di Sessanio (AQ) - Cell. 340 3598380 E-Mail: infovillavalsi@libero.it