Rocca Calascio , fortress or movies set? More, much more

During a business trip in Abruzzo i could visit the fortress of Rocca Calascio .




Early morning I got up early in the paths when I got to the top I could see not only a masterpiece but also see a movie set , none special effects can make it so wonderful.

I admire with enthusiasm the beauties what it's surrounding  me - a spectacle of sweet beauty from part of me turned: a far east the green expanse of nature, shimmering under the rays of the rising sun; Gran Sasso and Maiella  immersed in the same radiant light.

 Why is the castle so famous? Movie set? What are you talking about?

The foundation of the fortress is probably due to the will of King Ruggero d'Altavilla after the Norman conquest of 1140 with a prevalent sighting function, even if the first historical document attesting its presence is dated 1239.

In 1703  a violent earthquake devastated it  following which the highest area of ​​the village was abandoned and a large part of the population moved to the nearby town of Calascio.

In the twentieth century even the last families left abandoned the village and the fortress remained uninhabited 

Since the eighties  the area of Calascio have been used as a setting for many movies. 

This is a short list:

• 1982 - Amici miei - Act II ( famous italian comedy) 

Amici Miei Act II

• 1985 - Lady Hawke  in the fortress (then not yet restored) was the hermit's refuge played by Leo McKern

Michelle Pfeiffer in Lady Hawke

• 1986 - The name of the rose - winner of numerous international awards - based on the book of Umberto Eco, directed by Jean Jacques Annaud with the great Sir Sean Connery 

Sean Connery and Christian Slater In the mane of Rose 

• 1997 - The bride's journey 
• 2005 - L'orizzonte degli eventi , italian movie
• 2010  -The American -  The fortress is also visible in some scenes of this movie with George Clooney

The success of Lady Hawke and The Name of the Rose helped to fix and recover houses, others have been converted to accommodations and ,also, the castle was restored and consolidated. 

You can also organize a holiday between trekking routes in the Gran Sasso National Park

Typical meal :

• Lentil soup ;
• Arrosticini di pecora  this is not a simple meal in Abruzzo, it's a must.

You can reach Rocca Calascio throught the highway A24 (Rome-Teramo) : exit at L'Aquila Est and follow the indications to S. Stefano di Sessanio and then Calascio.