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Abruzzo: Scanno
Scanno
is known for its lovely lake (Lago di Scanno) and is located
in the wild countryside just to the east of Rome (I often use
this town as my first stop after landing in Rome). It’s
an interesting drive and relatively short in distance. The city
is well preserved with houses leaning up the narrow and steep
streets. This is how the city got it’s name Scanno
— meaning stall as in one after the other…..and
you’ll see churches and palazzi lining the streets —
like stalls. The Appennine Mountains stand over the city and
rise up from the lake. Many local women still dress in traditional
costume (long black dresses) and are deeply religious. The main
square in town is Piazza Santa Maria della Valle
and the 16th century church of the same name/Chiesa
di Santa Maria della Valle is there. As a matter of fact,
there are many churches (or former churches) in town. Some to
check out are: the 12th century Chiesa di Sant’Eustachio
(the patron saint of Scanno) also known as Chiesa di Santa
Maria di Loreto; the Chiesa di Purgatori ("holy
souls"), an 18th century church which was converted
in to a theatre and is now used for meetings — just in
front is Fontana Saracco, a 16th century fountain with
Byzantine decorations and arches that show that one side should
be used by animals and one side for humans; Chiesa Santa
Maria di Scanno is a 12th century church with
a statue of Mary inside; Chiesa di Santa Maria di Constantinopoli
is a 15th century church with a beautiful fresco
inside. There are a few more churches and if you’re wandering,
do check them out. Make sure you check out the architecture
of the many palazzi in town and do try to get to the
Porta della Croce, the only standing gate left
to the city. You’ll enjoy walking and climbing the hills
here. One time when I was visiting, I stopped in at the local
church and all the women were inside the church and all of the
men waited on benches outside….it was amusing. Market
day is Tuesday in Scanno.
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