MTB weekend on the Way of the Tratturi

Day 1: Navelli
Individual arrival in Navelli, a village immobilized in time, which can and must become an open-air cultural visit. With its 500 inhabitants, who live mainly in the lower part of the town, Navelli is located in a strategic position: it dominates the plateau up to the Tritana Valley and the Peligna Basin. The advice is to wander and get lost for Navelli alta where time seems to have stopped, where it is still possible to notice at the entrance of the houses the hook used to tie the ropes that held the animals. Arrival at the residence. The dinner will be typical. Overnight stay.

Day 2: In the footsteps of the Abruzzese Middle Ages (32 km; +/-800 mt.)
On the footsteps of the Middle Ages and the monastic complexes, we will take you to visit Bominaco (fraction of Caporciano) which with its castle, whose construction began in the XII century, and its cylindrical tower, still visible today, dominates the Navelli plateau. Here in the X century a Benedictine monastery was founded belonging to the Abbey of Farfa. Of that monastery today is possible to admire two buildings built between the XI and the XII century: the Romanesque church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Oratorio di San Pellegrino. The tour, which winds between white and dirt roads, will cross Caporciano and after visiting Bominaco, will continue to Fontecchio, an ancient medieval village that preserves historical, artistic and architectural beauties that find their maximum expression in the Medieval Tower, in the ancient 14th century Fountain, in the church and in the Convent of San Francesco, with frescoes of Giotto's school. Return to Residence. Typical dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 3: The Tratturali routes (35 km; +/-600 mt.)
The Tratturi are those routes that were once used by shepherds to perform the Transhumance, to transfer herds and flocks from one pasture to another with seasonal frequency. Prata d'Ansidonia, Peltuinum, Castel Camponeschi, Tussio, are the destinations of today's excursion. The village of Tussio, with its Bell Tower, introduces us to Castel Camponeschi, medieval jewel of Abruzzo, fortified village located on the plain of Prata d'Ansidonia, town of Roman times. The archaeological site of Peltuinum, an ancient vestina city taken in 302 B.C. by the Romans, which reached its zenith in urban planning in Augustan times. An important center due to its strategic position for cattle, transhumance and wine trade, it always maintained the Praefectura order. The city was enclosed by late republican walls and was crossed by the Claudia Nova route, which represented its main axis connecting the western gate with the eastern one. The urban structure reflected the patterns of Roman planning, except for the theater and amphitheater. In the forum, located on the southern part of the city, there was a temple dedicated to Apollo. The tour, completely on dirt and white roads, will return to Navelli through the Chiesa tratturale of S.M. of Centurelli, for the return of the bikes, a refreshing shower and individual departure.