Rocca Calascio
Rocca Calascio
4.5
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24 within 3 miles
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67 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
1,603 reviews
Excellent
1,270
Very good
265
Average
39
Poor
13
Terrible
16
Leongus
Highmount, NY61 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
We visit Italy every year as my husband's family lives in Abruzzo. We take all guests that come with us to Rocca Calascio. The entire experience is beyond words. The views from this ancient castle are panoramic with Gran Sasso mountain sitting gloriously (and if you are fortunate) peaking out of a ring of clouds! This is a little hike, so be prepared with comfortable shoes. The village on the way to the castle is not restored yet, but work has been started. The ride up is worth the views alone. Take a picnic lunch and if you are fortunate, the local dogs will join you. Enjoy this quiet gem before the rest of the world finds it as there are no crowds here. If you have the day, make sure to visit the nearby Gran Sasso National Park. During the summer, the shepherds actually live outside with the sheep and you will see the sheep dogs found especially in Abruzzo. Cows with cowbells and horses grazing above the tree line. Truly like going back in time.
Written August 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thrust v
Prague, Hlavni Mesto Praha, Czech Republic85 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
The location is surreal. Best to see is evening or morning, with sun low on the sky. It makes the mountains more plastic if they have shadows. You can climb the Rocca's walls for free, the inner cube is open only in Sunday. I think. Don't quote me on that. It is well worth the while to climb it even if the central cube is not open. It looks surreal, like from the Lord of the Rings. Quite unique place. Also, when arriving by car, make sure you park right before old houses below the rocca, there are two parking lots, the lower one is far away. Just keep driving even though the road looks like you shouldn't drive there, only stop and park if you see houses and a no entry for vehicles road sign(it is clearly visible and quite obvious).
Written August 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew W
Shrewsbury, UK219 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
We were taken to this incredible place by a friend who has written a book about the area. We spent an enchanting weekend here and a good couple of hours walking up to the castle, and having lunch nearby.
The castle is interesting from a historical viewpoint, but more so for the stunning location and views. Sadly, on the day of our visit the light was challenging, but still!
This part of Italy hasn't been discovered yet like, for instance, Tuscany, but we have little doubt that it soon will be. At lunch we listened to one of our American cousins finalising the purchase of a house. Go before the crowds arrive.
As already mentioned, enchanting.
The castle is interesting from a historical viewpoint, but more so for the stunning location and views. Sadly, on the day of our visit the light was challenging, but still!
This part of Italy hasn't been discovered yet like, for instance, Tuscany, but we have little doubt that it soon will be. At lunch we listened to one of our American cousins finalising the purchase of a house. Go before the crowds arrive.
As already mentioned, enchanting.
Written October 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter B
St. Albans, UK51 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
I stayed at the Rifugio for a few days with some walking pals last year - rooms basic but so atmospheric and with such far-reaching views over the Appenines - this was the first time I'd stayed in a hotel that is actually a reclaimed abandoned village. The short walk up to the castle and church was so magical I did it several times. This year I came back to Gran Sasso with my wife and a couple of friends and we stayed in Santo Stefano Di Sassanio. We walked from there up to the Rocca and it was truly a stunning walk with fabulous views all around. Had a very nice lunch in the Rifugio and walked back the same way through acres of wild flowers avoiding those big white sheepdogs who were carefully guarding their flock. A memorable day indeed
Written June 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
722pauline
Lytham St Anne's, UK20 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
My son and I walked here from S. Stefano di Sessanio on the long winding road looking at all the beautiful flora, fauna and wildlife on the way on a beautiful sunny day. As you turn the last mountain you see before you the sight of the octangle church and higher again the fort. It is truly a magical sight to see. Exploring this area was amazing but not for the faint hearted as it is so high as a little wind makes you feel a little cautious. But it is well worth it as you will never see views like it again you can see a 360 degree view of the whole of the mountains and all the little hill top mountains. You can also make it to the base of the fort by car with steep but reasonably short walk up. On the fort side, a little lower down there is a bar/restaurant. Remember to wear strong walking shoes!
Written June 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline S
London, UK133 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
We walked the 5 km from Santa Stefano di Sessanio up hill and down dale and enjoyed it tremendously, and when we got to the actual fort (the highest in Italy) it was well worth it. What a beautiful place with wonderful views over the outstanding Abruzzi countryside. We then decended to the Refugio for a welcome beer and panini before making our way back.
Written July 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan B
Los Angeles, CA50 contributions
Sep 2019
The hike up from the village is easy, the last 30 feel to the top of the tower more challenging but worth the extra vistas viewable. You can see many distant peaks and enjoy the ruined castle itself for a 1-2 hour adventure.
Written September 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FarAway63260912187
3 contributions
Jul 2019
It is not so easy to get to but once there, all you have to do is spread your arms, look up and breathe the fresh air!!! Beauty <3
Written July 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ilaria M
Rome, Italy32 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
Rocca Calascio one of the most charming and spectacular fortress of the Abruzzo region in the province of L’Aquiila, Italy.
Rocca Calascio is the highest fortress in the Apennines, it has an elevation of 1,460 meters it was aimed to control an extended area and was made for military purposes. Built of stone and masonry it was not a residence but only worth to accommodate troops.
The construction of the fortress started in the tenth century as a single watchtower. A walled courtyard with four cylindrical towers at the corners was added in the thirteenth century. The lower part of the fortress is built with large stones to make it impenetrable to invaders. The fortress was damaged by an earthquake in 1461 and not rebuilt. Near the fortress is the church of Santa Maria della Pietà built in the seventeenth century.
Rocca Calascio was the location for several movies: Francesco, by Liliana Cavani with Mickey Rourke, il viaggio della sposa by Rubini, King David with Richard Gere, Yado with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Richard Donner’s film Ladyhawke.
Rocca Calascio is within the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park and a wonderful drive nearby is the one to the high plain of Campo Imperatore.
My family really enjoyed discovering this out of track treasure.
Rocca Calascio is the highest fortress in the Apennines, it has an elevation of 1,460 meters it was aimed to control an extended area and was made for military purposes. Built of stone and masonry it was not a residence but only worth to accommodate troops.
The construction of the fortress started in the tenth century as a single watchtower. A walled courtyard with four cylindrical towers at the corners was added in the thirteenth century. The lower part of the fortress is built with large stones to make it impenetrable to invaders. The fortress was damaged by an earthquake in 1461 and not rebuilt. Near the fortress is the church of Santa Maria della Pietà built in the seventeenth century.
Rocca Calascio was the location for several movies: Francesco, by Liliana Cavani with Mickey Rourke, il viaggio della sposa by Rubini, King David with Richard Gere, Yado with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Richard Donner’s film Ladyhawke.
Rocca Calascio is within the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park and a wonderful drive nearby is the one to the high plain of Campo Imperatore.
My family really enjoyed discovering this out of track treasure.
Written January 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madgnats
Kenai, AK96 contributions
Oct 2019
Zig-zagging up the steep mountainside provides amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valley below. Parking is available nearby so only slight uphill walking is necessary to get into the quaint town below the castle ruins. Climbing even higher to the castle ruins gives a 360 degree panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and a realistic taste of the architecture and lifestyle of long ago. Behind the castle is a chapel and a peek into the window gives a great view of art work and statues inside. A friendly street vendor is available to sell souvenirs. Rocca Calascio is well worth the uphill hike, and something you won't want to miss.
Written October 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buongiorno, sono una fotografa per passione e avrei desiderio di andare a fare foto da Rocca Calascio dal tramonto alla notte per poter immortalare sia i colori e il paesaggio dell'ora blu sia la via lattea. Vi chiedo cortesemente se e' una cosa fattibile da fare da sola di notte...ho molte perplessita' e vorrei dei vostri consigli, soprattutto perche' andro' tra circa 15 gg in mezzo alla settimana e probabilmente saro' sola sul posto che immagino dovro' raggiungere a piedi da sola e quindi tornare sola alla macchina. Attendo vostre risposte. Grazie
Ritacrilu'
108 contributions
Penso nn sia Molto indicato andare da sola, di notte.. Il cammino è solitario, in salita, ciottoli e vegetazione, almeno dal bar, ristoro. Indicato è fino al tramonto,di notte... Meglio scendere!!
Alex
Novate Mezzola, Italy
Buon giorno volevo sapere se la rocca è visitabile perché ho telefonato in comune e mi hanno detto di no causa covid
C.T
Cassina de Pecchi, Italy194 contributions
salve vorrei sapere se a novembre e possibile visitare la rocca anche solo esternamente? dove si parcheggia l'auto?a piedi è faticoso quanto tempo si mette per arrivare?.c'è la navetta?dove si prende e quando costa?Grazie
Andrea B
Brescia, Italy57 contributions
Seguendo la strada da Calascio al borghetto sottostante la Rocca, appena oltrepassato il borgo si lascia la macchina nel parcheggio situato sul tornante. Da qui alla rocca ci sono circa 400 m per 60 m di dislivello su uno sterrato, prima comodo che poi diventa un sentiero un po' più impegnativo a zig-zag, ma passa attraverso le rovine molto suggestive delle fortificazioni e degli edifici del castello pre-quattrocentesco. Comunque ce l'ho fatta io senza fatica, a 66 anni e con un ginocchio malmesso.
In alternativa si può raggiungere più agevolmente la rocca, sempre dal parcheggio, percorrendo il comodo sterrato fino alla chiesa di S. Maria della Pietà (edificio e panorama stupendi), sono in tutto circa 700 m.
Informarsi bene sul meteo perchè la zona in novembre potrebbe già essere innevata.
E' uno dei più bei luoghi del Vecchio Continente, sembra di essere in Mongolia.
Cordialmente,
Andrea Breda
katiaTramo
1 contribution
Buongiorno c'è la navetta nel mese di settembre?
Joseph*C.
Rimini, Italy908 contributions
katiaTram
Noi siamo stati il 15 Agosto e abbiamo presa la navetta devo dire che si viaggia abbastanza bene noi non abbiamo trovato difficolta'. Comunque per il mese di Settembre non so,ma prova a contattare la Cooperativa che gestisce il servizio come abbiamo fatto noi
l'oro ti sapranno fornire tutto "Indicazioni e' Servizio"
il numero e' questo 351/5512131.
Ciao.
Carlo Depalma
Giovinazzo, Italy31 contributions
Dove si prende la navetta per la Rocca?
Ilaria T.
Pisa, Italy37 contributions
Io la prendevo il bus per San Marino città da Rimini di fronte alla stazione.
Buonasera, per visitare il castello domani bisogna prenotarsi da qualche parte? Le navette fino a che sono disponibili?
Andrea L
Rome, Italy4,706 contributions
Non c’è da prenotare nulla sinceramente. Credo che le
Navette siano disponibili solo quando i parcheggi sono pieni.
Beste Alex, Wij reizen met een camper (7m) en zouden graag weten of het mogelijk is in Rocca Calascio te parkeren.
Niet om er te overnachten, wel om er een wandeling te maken. We zullen op onze rondreis komen van Santo Stefano di Sessanio.
Alvast bedankt,
Andrea Brewée
giuliodemarco95
Fossacesia, Italy
Qualcuno sa se la chiesetta di Santa Maria della Pietà è visitabile prenotando una visita presso il gruppo di volontari? Su Wikipedia ho visto delke nuove foto caricate, che mostravano l'interno barocco
Aoi hoshi
Rome, Italy174 contributions
Quando sono andato io era chiusa, ma potete contare il comune che gestisce anche il servizio navetta.
marcodiagostino
Giulianova, Italy20 contributions
Dove mangiare?
Carlo M
100 contributions
Appena salito nel gruppo di case a destra c'è la Taberna di Rocca Calascio, la vedi subito perché ci sono i tavolini fuori. Vai con gli arrosticini e non preoccuparti per il costo
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