The village of Penne

One of the medieval villages not to be missed in Abruzzo is Penne, in the province of Pescara. Also known as the city of bricks, Penne is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, offering a perfect blend of art, history, and natural beauty.

The story of Penne

The name Penne derives from the singular Pinna, which means high ground or peak, referring to the four hills, also represented in the municipal coat of arms, on which the city of Vestini developed. The first settlements of the Vestini date back to the 6th-5th century BC and they were a people of Osco-Umbrian lineage who allied themselves with the Samnites to stop the Roman invasion. However, the city of Pinna Vestinorum was conquered by the Romans and perhaps the name of the people derives from the goddess Vesta. During this period of Roman domination, temples dedicated to Vesta and Ceres were built, as well as numerous thermal buildings.

The city of Penne was a bishopric and then occupied by the Normans until 1522 when Charles V gave Penne as a dowry to his daughter Margarita of Austria. In this way, the city was linked to the prestige of the Medici and then the Farnese family, becoming the capital of the Farnese state in Abruzzo and then ending up in the hands of the Bourbons. The history of Penne is not a simple one and there are many traces of these vicissitudes that can still be seen when visiting the city.

What to see in Penne

Penne is a picturesque city of art with a rich historical and artistic heritage: starting from the remains of the walls dating back to 1400 and the three ancient gates, Porta Santa Croce, Porta Della Ringa, and Porta San Francesco, which are a monumental symbol of the town. There are also many historic buildings to admire, such as the Norman Tower and Palazzo Teseo Castiglione, but also Palazzo De Sterlich-Aliprandi with its elegant halls and the home of Margherita of Austria, Palazzo Scorpione. Most of the noble buildings overlook the main square of the village, Piazza Luca da Penne.

But the most impressive are the numerous churches that can be found in this small town: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Degli Angeli and San Massimo Martire are located on the Sacred Hill and date back to before the year 1000 and were built on a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Vesta. In the historic center, you can see the Church of Sant'Agostino, the Church of the Annunciation, and the Church of Santa Croce, which are incorporated into the walls. The churches are one of the main attractions of the city of Penne, today the Cathedral houses the Diocesan Civic Museum, while the Archaeological Museum Giovanni Battista is housed in the Bishop's Palace. Palazzo Castiglione houses the Museum of Contemporary Art.