O5 - On-line Observatory

Calascio is a small hilltown in the Abruzzo hinterland situated very close to the Gran Sasso chain, at the borders of the Campo Imperatore plateau. Thanks to the  marvellous position of the ancient village, from here you can admire the Majella and the Sirente mountain and fascinating panoramas. It’ s a typical italian classic hilltown. The village, situated at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, is characterized by a network of streets and squares where houses, churches and towers overlook, all builted in stone as evidence of an ancient past. The village takes its name from the toponym of Monte Calasco as mentioned by the Chronicon Vulturnense. In this document Calasco appear fro the first time in 782 among the possessions of the Benedictine Abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno. The village, which has a population less than 100 inhabitants, has undergone over the years numerous restoration and recovery interventions that have contributed to his revival. The fortress of Rocca Calascio rises, compared to the village of Calascio, to an elevation of 1460 metres, dominating the village of Castelvecchio Calvisio and the plain below with its characteristic "Open Fields", examples of an ancient agricultural organization of the medieval age in Europe. Rocca Calascio is the highest fortress in the Apennines.

Country

Italy

Pitfalls and challenges

Pitfalls: most of the tourist flows in this area are concentrated in the summer (due to the climate factor), therefore all activities must be organized in this period and can overlap with other events

Challenges: activate the direct participation of young people in promoting their territory and organizing cultural events, expand the experiential offer for visitors

Opportunities and plans for the future

Establish a local promotion body made up of the young people of the village with the support of the senior citizens