Castels and medieval towers, monasteries and convents, hamlets and fortified villages. A tour to discover medieval archeology and architecture with dig site visits and guided tours.

We are offering a week of field archaeology and guided tours in the beautiful villages of Abruzzo.

In collaboration with researchers from the University of L’Aquila– Laboratory of Medieval Archaeology, Anthropology and Computer and conservators working on restoring the medieval frescoes, we will participate in the excavation of a medieval settlement and take part in the cataloging and cleaning of the exhibits. In the afternoon we will visit- under the direction of researchers from the university- settlements and medieval buildings that are characteristic of the area and try to understand the origin of the economic, cultural and topographic conditions that led to their creation and existence.

We will learn the rudiments of the “art” of historic building dating in order to discern the phases of development, reconstruction and changes it has undergone throughout the centuries. We will have the opportunity to meet restorers dedicated to their work on medieval frescoes that were damaged or excavated during the earthquake of 2009. It will be a fascinating journey to discover the hidden significance of the extraordinary medieval villages, cities, castles and monasteries of Abruzzo.

ITINERARY

• DAY 1 - Welcome

  Arrival in Fontecchio and accommodation in historic tourist facilities. Presentation of the program. Visit the fortified medieval village of Fontecchio with guides who are experts in the history of the buildings, settlement structure and the building materials used. Lunch in the beautiful cloister of the former Monastery of San Francesco. Visit some castles and towers in the area. Dinner and overnight stay in Fontecchio.

• DAY 2 - Rocca Calascio

  Breakfast and departure to the Plains of San Marco, at the foot of the Gran Sasso mountain to take part in the excavation of a settlement of seventh century Benedictine monks. In the afternoon visit the Rocca Calascio and its castle situated amist a grand and solitary landscape. Dinner and an overnight stay in Fontecchio.

• DAY 3 - Santo Stefano di Sessanio and the Cistercian Grange

  In the morning participate in the excavation at San Marco Piana. Lunch at Santa Stefano di Sessanio, a guided tour of the village and a hike to the ruins of the Cistercian Grange of Santa Maria del Monte which lie admist a beautiful scenery of cultivated pastures, karst basins and peaks. Dinner and an overnight in Fontecchio.

• DAY 4 - Digging in the morning and free afternoon

  In the morning we will participate in the digging at San Marco Piana. Lunch and a free afternoon in Fontecchio. Dinner and an overnight stay in Fontecchio.

• DAY 5 - Bominaco and San Benedetto in Perillis

  Participate in the morning in the San Marco Piana excavation. Lunch in the village of Bominaco. In the afternoon a visit to the beautiful medieval churches and the castle of Bominaco; there you will find the St. Peter ad Oratorium with its mysterious “magic square” and the Abbey of San Benedetto in Perillis- in this village there are underground rooms and antique locks with wooden cylinders. Dinner and an overnight stay in Fontecchio.

• DAY 6 - Castelvecchio Calvisio and Navelli

  In the morning participate in the excavation at San Marco Piana and subsequently clean and catalogue the archaeological finds. Lunch in a restaurant in Castelvecchio Calvisio. Visit the picturesque elliptical walled town of Castelvecchio Calvisio and the village of Navelli. Dinner and an overnight stay in Fontecchio.

• DAY 7 - L'Aquila

  In the morning visit to the church of Santa Maria ad Cryptas at Blackwater with its magnificent cyclical frescoes; meet with the restoers who are recovering them after the 2009 earthquake. Stop in L’Aquila to visit the city which was dramatically damaged by the earthquake. Lunch and wine tasting at the “Cellar of the Boss” and then depart.