VILLAGES

The Aterno Valley is part of the system of “river valleys” which are characteristic of the Abruzzo region. In fact, within this region, the solid mass of the Apennines splits into a series of reliefs corresponding to a parallel system of valleys and coursing rivers.

In these areas, over the centuries, many urban settlements arose whose conformation dates back largely to the Middle Ages, when the process of encastellation led to the formation of many small, fortified villages that still remained perched amidst the mountains.

Therefore, throughout the valley one can find many forts, villages, and beautiful churches which tell the story of ancient cultures throughout the centuries.