Valle di Amplero

Valle di Amplero is an archaeological site and valley located northeast of Collelongo in the Marsica area of Abruzzo, containing remains from multiple periods of settlement. The site features burial chambers, residential structures, and defensive constructions scattered across the landscape at an average elevation of 830 meters above sea level.

The valley shows occupation from the Bronze Age through the late Republican period, with evidence of Marsi communities living in fortified settlements like San Castro. The burial grounds, particularly the Cantone necropolis, reflect the funeral practices and chronological layers of these early inhabitants.

The necropolis of Cantone contains more than fifty chamber tombs, including the notable Amplero Bed dating from the late second century BCE.

You can explore the site on a roughly nine-kilometer circuit walk that connects multiple excavation areas and structures scattered across the terrain. Wear sturdy footwear as the landscape is hilly and the path covers various elevations throughout the valley.

The Vicus La Giostra complex reveals a fortified settlement with defensive walls that stretch across the landscape, showing how residents engineered protection into their living spaces. These preserved fortifications offer a glimpse into the security concerns and building methods of the early settlement.