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The winding road up to Scanno offers exceptional views. In some parts it cuts through the rock; in others it has softer margins, passing through woods and meadows overlooked by the villages of Castrovalva, Villalago and Frattura, running over the dam on the River Sagittario and past the deep, heart-shaped lake with its blue waters and green reflections. Then, at last, the little town comes into sight, a mountain village 1,050 meters above sea level renowned for its lovely carved doorways and baroque balconies, the Renaissance churches of Sant’Antonio and Santa Maria in Valle and the Wool Museum (Museo della Lana), which reminds us that this was once a sheeping-farm area.
The town is also known to gourmets for its tasty cheeses an delicious “mostaccioli” made of almonds, must and chocolate covered in icing-sugar.
In Scanno, the local goldsmiths still continue their traditional craftmanship with delicate skill.
In November, the picturesque bonfires are lit to celebrate “Le Glorie di San Martino”.
The photographs of Scanno by Cartier Bresson immortalized the stone alleyways and the women proudly wearing the traditional oriental-style costumes of the past, with narrow tops opening out like flowers into wide, richly-pleated skirts, crowned by turban-like headdresses.
Nature-lovers can go walking along the paths and lanes of the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise or relax in the area surrounding the town. In winter you can enjoy the snow and in summer some people swim in the lake. Scanno is also a good base for excursions to other captivating little places, such as Anversa, whose praises were sung by the poet D’Annunzio, or the elegant town of Sulmona, where Ovid was born.
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