If you are looking for the slow pace of nature, but do not want to lose the liveliness of Abruzzo tradition, Ripattoni will win you over with its beauty and authenticity. A hamlet of Bellante, this medieval village is a treasure to be discovered: here, an atmosphere steeped in history and culture awaits you, completed by breathtaking views.

On a cliff carved out by the Ripattoni stream, the centre is recognisable from afar by the presence of the mighty Acquaviva Tower, which soars majestically in the upper part of the village. Called ‘Il Torrione’, this monument is the most characteristic of the hamlet and a symbol of the entire community.

To reach it, walk freely between stone houses, cobbled streets, ancient buildings, churches and arches: along the way, you will feel as if you are going back in time. You will come across the Church of Saints Silvestro and Giustino and Palazzo Saliceti, where the patriot Aurelio Saliceti was born and whose ground floor houses the lovely Municipal Theatre, and you will be enraptured by the abandoned Palazzo Moruzzi, dating from the 19th century. Through an alley, you can reach the belvedere and enjoy an exceptional view over the village and the valley, ranging from the countryside to the highest peaks of the Abruzzo Apennines.Continue the tour and admire the colourful facades of the Toke Museum, known as the House of Mosaics: a private home transformed into a work of art by the artist Toke, who lives and works here. In addition to ‘The Wall’, a mosaic that stretches along a small wall outside, you could also admire the Grotto, the garden and the artist’s collections displayed inside.

As you reach the lower part of the village, you will be able to see the remains of a castle gate and a circular turret, remnants of the Acquaviva fortifications, or decide to extend your tour: Ripattoni has a strategic position from which to explore the beauty in the area. The lush hills surrounding the village offer numerous hiking trails, perfect for walking and trekking in the tranquillity of the countryside. About one kilometre from the village, the church of Santa Maria in Herulis is certainly worth a visit. It preserves frescoes and stuccoes from various periods, a 14th-century statue of the Madonna and Child, and a small portico with round arches.

A special occasion to visit the village? The event of Ripattoni in Art that usually takes place at the end of July inside Palazzo Saliceti and in the most fascinating spots of the village with suggestions for visual arts, literature, music and food and wine.

Ph credit: Infinitispazi – CC BY-SA 3.0