Navelli, Medieval commune in Province of L'Aquila, Italy
Navelli is a commune in the Province of L'Aquila sitting at about 760 meters elevation in the Abruzzo region, featuring tightly built stone structures and winding streets. The settlement includes several neighborhoods, with Civitaretenga notable for its medieval tower and the Church of San Sebastiano serving as a central landmark.
The territory was first inhabited by the Vestini people, an ancient group who controlled the region before Roman expansion. The settlement later became strategically important for overseeing trade routes that crossed the mountain landscape.
The name comes from the Vestini people who once lived here. Today you see medieval stone buildings and narrow pathways that locals and visitors walk through, creating the character of this hillside settlement.
The settlement sits on hillside terrain and is best explored on foot, with narrow lanes and stairs requiring a slower pace through the streets. Visitors should expect uneven walking surfaces and steep sections, especially when moving between different neighborhoods within the commune.
The area is renowned for producing high-grade saffron, a red spice that has been grown here for centuries using traditional methods. The specific soil composition and mountain climate create conditions suitable for cultivating this rare and costly crop.
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