Attractions and Places To See around Colledimezzo - Top 10

Historic Franciscan monastery in an oasis of peace. The Convento di San Pasquale (officially the monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli) is hidden in the greenery on the hill of Vallaspra, just outside the medieval town of Atessa. This impressive complex was founded as early as 1408 by the blessed Tommaso da Firenze. It is built entirely of natural stone and exudes a serene, historic atmosphere. Although the interior and the beautiful monastery garden with the central well (from 1709) are unfortunately often closed to the public due to varying opening hours, the complex is an absolute sight to behold from the outside. Under the large portico at the front, you can still admire a centuries-old fresco of the Pietà. Moreover, the quiet, shady surroundings are perfect for a well-deserved break during your sporting tour. Fun fact: the monastery used to lend its name to the well-known local herbal liqueur "Amaro San Pasquale", which was originally prepared by the monks with herbs from this valley.

Convent of S.Maria degli Angeli (S.Pasquale) in Vallaspra di Atessa (CH) In the name Vallaspra, Valle-aspra, one can sense the peculiarity of a wild and fruitless nature, but also the sedimentation of a troubled historical and religious with long periods of splendor and apostolate. The history of the Vallaspra convent is linked to the Franciscan spirit and the incessant work of evangelization of the observant Friars Minor. Way back in 1408, Tommaso da Firenze, lay friar and secretary of Father Nicola da Osimo, commissioner of the province of Sant'Angelo in Puglia, stopped his wanderings in the Frenta area, in front of an ancient Cona depicting the Madonna of Sorrows with the Dead Christ and on the sides Saint John and Saint Francis on the right, Mary Magdalene and Saint Anthony of Padua on the left, venerated in a barren and wild place, precisely Vallassero di Atessa. Conquered by the evocative sacredness of the place and the profound meaning of this Pietà, Frà Tommaso began the construction of the first nucleus of the convent, which was completed and inaugurated just ten years later, in 1430. The convent of Vallaspra dedicated by Frà Tommaso to Santa Maria degli Angeli , not only in the dedication, but above all in the architectural structures, preserves the cleanliness of the Franciscan forms. The church, with a central nave and a side one, was enriched, in the early 1700s, with a chapel dedicated to San Pasquale Baylon (Spanish), a lay Franciscan, canonized in 1860, in honor of the Contestabile Colonna; the latter changed the title of the convent and San Pasquale simply, rather than Vallaspra, indicates the locality and the monastic complex. Over the centuries the structure was a woolen mill (the Franciscan habit was produced there); operating for more than a century and closed in 1675, it was linked to the intense period of traffic along the herd arteries. Over the years, the Convent of S.Pasquale became an important center of theological studies. Today, the Convent transmits a strong sense of belonging, of religious, spiritual and cultural identity; characteristics, the latter, which make it a solid, safe reference center, as well as a pole of aggregation, prayer and apostolate.

This church, the "Chiesa di San Pietro" was dedicated to Saint Peter (Peter). Simon, nicknamed Peter (Rock), was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee when he - together with his brother Andrew - was called by Jesus Christ to be "fishers of men". According to Catholic understanding, he is the supreme apostle, and the two millennia-long line of popes - currently Francis - are his successors. On statues and paintings, Peter is almost always depicted with two keys in his hand; this attribute refers to the biblical saying in Matthew: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Chapter 16, verse 19). Peter and Paul are also known as the “Princes of the Apostles”; their common feast day in the saints’ calendar is June 29th.

Monastic complex located in Atessa. The style is Renaissance/Baroque and its origins date back to the 15th century. the convent is entirely made of stone and there is a nursery in its garden.

The Green Falls are located within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), with the falls originating from the Rio Verde. The organic quality is remarkable, there are crayfish and river crab, the dipper and the yellow wagtail, as well as the peregrine falcon and the red kite.

The green waterfalls are the highest perennial natural waterfalls in the Apennines. In total they fall for over 200 meters before joining the Sangro River.

In addition to numerous small frogs and fish, this small water snake also lives in the Gola and presumably feeds on the former. Now, at the beginning of October, the waterfall is more of a small trickle. To do this, it can be easily reached from the parking lot at the entrance to the gorge after a few minutes of walking over round stones and mini climbing inserts over two slightly larger rocks with dry feet. Sturdy footwear is still advisable and, especially in bad weather, you should take the notice at the entrance to the gorge that you should only enter it with a helmet because of the risk of falling rocks.

Slit inside the fortress from which it is possible to observe the church of San Pietro.