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Sulmona’s Market

November 11, 2009
Geotag Icon (map) Sulmona, Abruzzo

sulmona1 Sulmonas MarketJust two hours east of Rome by train, lies the venerable medieval city of Sulmona, near L’Aquila in Abruzzo. Famous as the birthplace of the Latin poet Ovidio (Ovid), it is also known for the confetti di Sulmona, multi-colored, sugarcoated almonds, skillfully crafted into elaborate flowers and enjoyed by locals and tourists alike during special events and for celebrations.

sulmona2 Sulmonas MarketThe main square, Piazza Garibaldi, is surrounded by the majestic Gothic arches of an ancient aqueduct,and every Wednesday and Saturday morning it is transformed into a bustling market where one can find every variety of seasonal fruit and vegetables, cheese, fish, and meats as well as household items, cooking utensils, clothing, shoes, even “le mutande” (bras and panties!) – all in a convenient one-stop-shop!

After a busy morning of shopping, there is nothing more satisfying than a porchetta sandwich (spit-roasted pig) bought from a canteen truck. It is served on a crusty roll and can be enjoyed on the steps nearby with a glass of wine!

Squisito! …delicious!

sulmona3 Sulmonas Market

sulmona4 Sulmonas Market

- Contributed by Laura DePamphilis, writer, photographer, and ItalianNotebook.com reader. Many thanks!






10 responses to “Sulmona’s Market”

  1. anne November 11, 2009 at 3:56 pm | | Reply

    I love these markets, the British stall holders
    should take a trip over to main land Europe and
    see how it is done!! Oh yes a porchetta sandwich mmmm!!

  2. Joanne November 11, 2009 at 4:14 pm | | Reply

    We also enjoyed markets in Montalcino and several other small hill towns. We were there in 2004 and 2007 and I am dreaming of another return trip in the next couple of years.

  3. Anette November 11, 2009 at 4:56 pm | | Reply

    Brava, Laura. Il nostro bel Abruzzo!

  4. Valorie November 11, 2009 at 6:02 pm | | Reply

    I have been wondering how the people of the region are doing after the earthquake last April. This gives me hope, but I fear not all villages are doing as well. Wish I could visit and help!! xoxo Italy

  5. Michael Marcelli November 11, 2009 at 10:34 pm | | Reply

    I visited my Father’s birthplace in Roseta delgli Abbruzzo and wish that I’d known about Sulmona then. I did stop in Aquila and saw the Gran Sasso on the way to Rome, but there was litle time for side trips, to my great consternation today. There is only one way to get to know anyplace and that’s to live there.

  6. Domenico Piccolomini November 12, 2009 at 1:06 am | | Reply

    We visited Sulmona in 2005. It is a beautiful town in Abbruzzo. We especially enjoyed the Cofetti with all the colors and artistic designs.

    Domenico and Barbara Piccolomini

  7. Angela DePamphilis Sanscrainte November 12, 2009 at 5:06 am | | Reply

    Laura,
    What a wonderful article on Sulmona!! I wish I had visited this past trip. We didn’t have enough time.

    Thank you for sharing!

  8. Bob Chiota November 12, 2009 at 8:53 am | | Reply

    Laura,
    About 30 years ago my family spent a week in Italy. For three days, we visited every magnificent site in Rome, then on to Florence, Milan, Assisi and Venice. However my wife’s fondest memory of that outstanding trip is my Dad bargaining for a leather pocketbook at this wonderful market, just outside his hometown of Pettorano!

  9. ED CERCONE November 14, 2009 at 12:10 am | | Reply

    THE PICTURES OF PIAZZA GARIBALDI BROUGHT BACK HAPPY MEMORIES OF THE SIX WEEKS WE SPENT IN PACENTRO. WE WOULD GO TO SULMONA TO SHOP. LOTS OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. THEN WE WOULD HOP ON THE BUS BACK TO PACENTRO, SULMONA IS A GREAT LITTLE TOWN, LOTS OF SHOPPING.

  10. marianna November 16, 2009 at 5:44 pm | | Reply

    Thank you for sharing-how lovely it must be to be there. Marianna

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