Pacentro, Medieval commune in Province of L'Aquila, Italy.
Pacentro is a village in the Province of L'Aquila sitting at roughly 650 meters elevation, with narrow lanes and old stone houses leading toward its central square. The buildings follow the natural slope of the hills, with each corner of the settlement oriented toward this historic center.
The village was founded as a fortified settlement and gained its medieval form through Caldora Castle, built in the 14th century. Two towers from this fortress still remain, reflecting the place's strategic importance during that period.
The Church of Madonna di Loreto sits at the heart of the village and draws visitors each September during a special celebration rooted in local faith. The place maintains a living connection to its religious traditions that residents continue to observe today.
The village sits in the Abruzzi region and is easiest to reach via local roads from larger towns, with the nearest airport in Pescara. It's best to arrive by car, as public transport is limited and the place sits on a hillside.
I Canaje was once where village women gathered with copper basins to wash clothes and stands today as a preserved reminder of this everyday past. The public washhouse reveals how the daily rhythm of village life once centered around such shared spaces.
Location: Province of L'Aquila
Capital city: Pacentro
Elevation above the sea: 688 m
Shares border with: Cansano, Fara San Martino, Palena, Sant'Eufemia a Maiella, Sulmona, Campo di Giove, Lama dei Peligni, Taranta Peligna
Website: https://comunepacentro.aq.it
GPS coordinates: 42.05043,13.99151
Latest update: December 20, 2025 01:45
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