Monte Castelfraiano, Mountain summit in the Monti Frentani, Abruzzo, Italy

Monte Castelfraiano is the highest summit of the Monti Frentani, reaching 1,415 metres in the territory of Castiglione Messer Marino, province of Chieti, Abruzzo. Its slopes differ: the Sangro valley side is almost bare of shrubs and covered by pastures once used for livestock forage, while the Sinello side carries a mixed beech and silver fir wood protected by the Abetina di Selva Grande nature oasis. At its south-western foot lies the small, silting Lago la Croce, shaped like a figure eight.

The summit holds the ruins of Castelfraiano castle, which gave the mountain its name and watched over the transhumance routes of shepherds, controlling access from Monteferrante and the Sangro valley. The medieval church of Santa Maria del Monte, rebuilt after the Second World War, is the last standing building of a Minor Conventual friary. The Ateleta-Biferno tratturo ran past the high pastures of Lupara and Monte Fischietto.

The mountain's name comes from the ruined castle on its summit, built to watch over shepherds crossing during transhumance. The tratturo Ateleta-Biferno passed the high pastures of Lupara and Monte Fischietto, and its influence shows in Castiglione Messer Marino's dialect and traditions, shaped by Puglian culture. Dry-stone tholos and tower-houses built by pastoralists remain in the area.

The summit lies in the municipality of Castiglione Messer Marino, province of Chieti, Abruzzo, about 9 km from Agnone. Since 2001, 44 wind turbines 90 to 100 m tall stand on this and neighbouring mountains, so expect service roads and turbine noise. The Sangro valley side is almost treeless pasture; the Sinello side holds the mixed beech and silver fir wood of the Selva Grande nature oasis.

The summit holds the ruins of Castelfraiano castle, which gave the mountain its name and watched over shepherds crossing the Ateleta-Biferno tratturo during transhumance. The mountain also carries 44 wind turbines, each 90 to 100 metres tall, installed from 2001 under two thirty-year agreements between the comune of Castiglione Messer Marino and two Edison group companies.