KO and the Turk: Wanderings Around San Grasso National Park

Many castles, monasteries, churches, hiking trails, and medieval villages to visit in this area. Our apartment neighbor in SS di Sessanio told us we HAD to visit the San Pellegrino monastery. I had read nothing about it, but he was insistent so we jumped in the Fiat and went to the village of Bominaco in search. What we found was amazing.
The original Abbey was founded by Charlemagne around the 8th century as a result of an apparition telling him to honor San Pellegrino, a Syrian martyr. The site is a former pagan temple - as often happened. He charged the Benedictine monks to build this monastery supposedly as the burial place for San Pellegrino.

giant St Christopher on entrance wall.

This is an operating church and we had to call someone in the town to let us into it. Once we were in, the lights are turned on for about 5 minutes - that's all! We were allowed to take 2 photos - but clearly I cant count.

you can follow the life of Jesus through the images. but along the bottom are scenes from hell with demons and naked people

apostles and other saints

On the ceiling, we found an astrological calendar with each month identified by its sign, phase of the moon, and a human representative. The purpose was to help the monks plan their liturgy, or plan their planting - depending on who is telling the story.

astrological calendar

not sure who the hairy dude is

humble entrance to the monastery

back door

Behind the monastery is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta - built as a fortress like Romanesque church. The church was started around 1000 AD.

We heard that the city of L'Aquila was largely destroyed in the 2009 earthquake, but we still wanted to check it out. We found some progress - its been 6 years! But so much left to do. The old part of the city is held up with steel and wood in hopes to revive the ancient structures and reconstruct the city to look like it did. In the refurbished areas, we found interesting shops and restaurants, but it is clear that many people are still displaced.

main square of L'Aquila

steel girders holding up the walls

courtyard of a home partially renovated

cranes and construction equipment is too large for these small streets

art exibit showing photos from the earthquake

In L'Aquila, we found a basilica that was mostly in tack. Basilica of San Bernardino, the region's largest church, was built in the mid 15th cent. It is in the process of renovation - but most of it is completed. San Bernardino's body lies in state in one of the side chapels.

the tomb of San Bernardino

We decided to hike up to another castle. San Pio delle Camere is a great example of the style of castle built as an isosceles triangle. The town sits below - in easy range for the townspeople to bring their sheep and get to the castle if under attack.

San Pio delle Camere located above the town.

looking down on the town

We are always on the look out for chocolate, and while driving around we saw a sign, in Italian of course, that seemed to say there was a chocolate factory nearby. Out of curiosity we followed the signs and came to a building in an industrial park. We peered into the windows and saw...chocolate! But no one was around to answer our knocks. As we sadly climbed into the Fiat, the door opened and a couple came out to greet us. Yea! They make molded chocolates like shoes, easter eggs, etc. But also filled chocolates which got our attention when we tasted the grappa and lemoncello filled dark chocolates. Wrap 'em up! We left with 2 bags and lots of samples.