Valle Subequana

Valle Subequana is a mountain valley in the Province of L'Aquila that sits at an average elevation of 600 meters (1,970 feet) between the Sirente mountain range and the Aterno river. The area lies within the Sirente-Velino Regional Nature Park and contains six municipalities connected by rural landscapes and sloping terrain.

The valley has been inhabited since the Upper Paleolithic period, as shown by archaeological finds now displayed in the National Museum of Abruzzo in L'Aquila. Later, during Roman times, an important municipal settlement called Superaequum stood in this territory.

The municipalities scattered across the valley maintain rural traditions and regional customs visible in daily life and local celebrations. The way residents connect with the land and each other reflects centuries of settlement in this area.

The area is reachable via the SS5 Via Tiburtina Valeria highway, which connects Rome to Pescara and passes through the valley as a main route. Exploring this broad valley with its scattered municipalities requires time and personal transportation.

The town of Castelvecchio Subequo sits directly above the ruins of the Roman settlement Superaequum, meaning a modern community was literally built atop an ancient city. This layering of past and present remains visible in how the town is organized and positioned on the hillside.