Sulmona, Medieval commune in Valle Peligna, Italy
Sulmona is a commune in Valle Peligna that sits at 405 meters (1329 feet) elevation at the base of the Maiella range. The Gizio and Vella rivers flow through the area and meet near the center, where historic streets and squares spread across the valley floor.
Sources mention the settlement in 211 BC, when Hannibal's forces attacked during the Second Punic War. The town survived the siege and grew into an important administrative center during the Middle Ages in the Abruzzo region.
The name comes from the Latin Sulmo and appears on street signs and public buildings throughout the settlement. Locals gather in the evening at the central square, where bars and cafés line historic facades and invite visitors to sit outdoors.
The central railway station links the commune directly to Rome and the Adriatic coast and sits within walking distance of the historic center. The main square and surrounding lanes are easy to reach on foot and offer shaded areas for walking on warm days.
Local artisans produce sugar-coated almonds known as confetti using methods that go back to early antiquity and coat them in layers of colored sugar. Small workshops shape these almonds into decorative forms like flowers, animals or fruits that serve as gifts for special occasions.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
