PRATOLAPELIGNA


This is proud town rich in history and traditions which takes its roots in Peligna valley and has been buit around the old fortified centre terra, on a hilly contryside of remarkable beauty where the Morrone Mountain stans out.
Thanks to its 8,000 inhabitants, it is one of the largest towns of L'Aquila city. It situated on a hill to the left of the river Sagittario and its past is linked to St. Pietro Celestino, who is the founder of the monastic order bearing the same name.
The town is known all over Abruzzi for its big festival in honour of St. Maria della Libera (1 sunday of may ) to whom an imposing sanctuary has been dedicated whose history and religious importance make it of interregional interest. It was built in 1500 to thank Our Lady who had saved them from the plague and it was then improved and enlarged so as to achieve its present majesty. Pratola has a historical centre rich in works of St. Pietro Celestino, in frescos and sculptures and a rich Museum of the rural civilisation has been built in the suburbs Besides agriculture, which has been for many years the main source of income for the local population, florishing craftsmanship and more recently a good industrial activity have developed. Its delicious wines such as Cerasuolo and Montepulciano are also famous and they have been so since Ovid and Pliny times.