(map) Sulmona, Abruzzo
Noted as one of the prettiest towns in Italy; particularly recommended in the spring. However, with its Baroque-influenced architecture and friendly people we can attest that even in the bleak of mid-winter it is a lovely, welcoming town.
Although a settlement has been here since at least Roman times, little remains of the earlier city, which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1703. The structures that did survive include the Romanesque portal of San Francesco della Scarpa and the Aqueduct, as well as the Palazzo Annunziata, once a hospital for the destitute and ill, with its ornate Gothic-Renaissance facade.
Rome, just 2 hours to the west, is a world away from the rugged landscape of Sulmona and the adjacent Parco Nazionale della Majella. Nestled at the foot of a majestic mountain range, it is not difficult to see why both pre-Christians and Christians regarded the area as sacred. During the Middle Ages the region was named the “House of God” by Petrarch.
Location location location indeed…
- Contributed by Lynda Higgs, global nomad, writer, and observer of this beautiful and bewildering, fascinating and frustrating place in which I currently live.
January 22nd, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Nice piece, Lynda! Could you tell me the town in your large photograph? I know Sulmona, and this isn’t it; I assume it’s a town in the valley, but I am not sure. Thanks!
January 22nd, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Great note – thanks!
January 22nd, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Linda,
We travel to Italy every two years or so. My husband is “Un Ciociaro” from Piglio(FR). In all these trips over the last 20 odd years we have never visited Sulmona. We are now planning a visit to arrive in Italy on the 11th of Feb. We are travelling with a young lady whose family is from Sulmona and were planning a visit there on Feb.16th. So I was thrilled to open my Italian Notebook today to read your article “Sweet Sulmona”. Can you make some restaurant suggestions & must see items.
Grazie mille
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Wow! and what a location!
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Did you know that Sulmona is indeed sweet…It’s noted far and wide for its candies? We took a jaunt there one day, expecting visions of sugar plums, only to find the whole town closed up except for one candy store.
January 22nd, 2010 at 6:02 pm
A nice article, but the last photo isn’t Sulmona!
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Sulmona is sweet indeed! it is famous for its confetti (sugar coated almonds) used in celebrations such as Marriage, Baptism, 1st. Communion, Confirmation, and Anniversaries. They come in evey colors. They are also put together in beautiful arrangements as flowers, bouquets, ets. just use your immagination!
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Would like to see more of Sweet Sulmona !!!!!!
January 23rd, 2010 at 2:35 am
Enjoyed the all-too-brief article but surprised that nothing said about famous son Ovid. My grandparents were from Sulmona and my wife and I had a great visit there about 15 years ago. At that time the yuppies from Rome were beginning to discover Sulmona and take advantage of its access to the National Park noted by Lynda.
January 23rd, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Cara Lynda,
Sulmona was among the warmest, friendly towns we’ve visited in Italy. Carolyn and I visited there a few years ago. As we walked the friendly streets, passed the colorful confetti stores, and observed the affectionate interactions of the people, we felt embraced by the love, the warm and the affectionate of those blessed to live there. It seemed as if we had gone back a half century in time when teenagers allowed themselves to express their innocence along with their sophistication. Your writing evokes those same feelings.
John Bellanti
January 25th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
It is indeed “sweet” with all the confetti shops. Glad someone pointed out that Ovid is its most noted son. In my childhood my father always spoke about the beautiful mountains of Sulmona but not until I saw them for myself did I realize how right he was. What a wonderful city. Can’t wait to get back.
January 25th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Just realized that the someone who pointed out that Sulmona is Ovid’s hometown was my cousin. Good going, Don.
February 5th, 2010 at 8:34 am
I may not have the spelling right, but I believe the photo of the town in the hills is called Cocullo or something like that. It is off the autostrada that goes from Pescara to Rome and if memory serves, it is close to the road that takes to Sulmona. I was there in 1994 and drove by it in 2006. This is a beautiful area.
February 15th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
The large photo is a little misleading – the town shown is Anverso, and not Sulmona, as rightly noted. The original item submitted was slightly longer and the title of “Sweet Sulmona” referred to the confetti produced there(also noted above), as well as the delicious gelato (some of the best we’ve come across in Italy). Unfortunately the limited space allowed for a note meant that the article above didn’t quite connect with my title choice. Hopefully I will be have more items published soon.
February 15th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
There is an enoteca in Sulmona, just off the Corso Ovidio, the name of which currntly escapes me – but it is well known (I want to say “Buffano” or something of that nature), and it is recommended.
For fabulous gelati and cioccolati artiginale, visit Gelateria Di Silvio on the corner of Corso Ovidio and via Solimo. Massimo is very friendly, and speaks good English if your Italian isn’t up to scratch.
PS – I DID mention Ovid in my full article. GB – if you read these comments, please could you publish part 2 of my article?
February 16th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Sulmona reminds me of all the beautiful girls that were attending the University of Roma.Great memories and best friends ,but never visited the city.
March 24th, 2010 at 5:21 am
Hello Everyone,
It was very nice to read about my home town. I only wish I could visit there more often. My parents are buried there and I should be getting back there soon.
I am currently in need of some help, on piece I am writing.
Is there anyone out here from Sulmona that might be able to help me out with something? On the road leading west out of Sulmona, to Introdacqua on the way to Pelino Confetti factory, there is road, a left hand turn, that leads to a small village that was once called Casa di Oime. I do not believe I have the spelling correct here. The village is no longer called that. Could someone please help me the correct spelling of the old village? And if possible, any information on the old village?
My email address is vinodi@rcn.com
Thank you,
Vincenzo