From Silvi to the Valley of Abbeys

Our itinerary starts from Silvi and continues along the Adriatic state road in a northerly direction and along the SS150 until it reaches the territory of Morro d'Oro. Here we meet the first stop on our journey, the ancient abbey of Santa Maria di Propezzano, perhaps built as early as 715 and representative of the medieval architecture of Abruzzo. The facade is made up of three parts of different heights and inside you can admire numerous frescoes and the quadrangular cloister from the 16th century.

Continuing along the route, we head towards San Clemente al Vomano, in the locality of Guardia Vomano, in the municipality of Notaresco. Here we find the Abbey of San Clemente, dating back to the 11th century and recently reopened to the public after restoration work. The interior has three naves and has a valuable Norman-made ciborium carved by Roberto di Ruggero in the 12th century.

Subsequently, we head towards the village of Canzano, where in Colle San Salvatore there is the Abbey of San Salvatore di Canzano, built in the XII century and from the Romanesque period. The interior has three naves and features numerous frescoes, which have made it nicknamed the "Scrovegni Chapel" of Abruzzo.

We then continue on the SS150 in the direction of Isola del Gran Sasso, where we meet the church of Santa Maria di Ronzano, considered the most beautiful example of Apulian Romanesque in Abruzzo. In the presbytery there are admirable paintings from the 1400s enhanced by the light that enters from the large circular window on the façade.

Finally, on the same road, we see the church of San Giovanni ad Insulam, built around the 12th century and representative of the Romanesque-Gothic architecture of Abruzzo.