Montorio Al Vomano - Main Sights

Main Sights

Situated in the principal city square, Piazza Orsini, is the Church of San Rocco. As willed by the Countess Vittoria Camponeschi, construction of this church was initiated in 1527. The irregular and unsymmetrical front of the church is constructed in parts of stone, brick, and plaster. San Rocco contains four painted wooden altars decorated with gold leaf dating to the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The Sacristy houses a wooden bust of San Rocco dating to the 16th century, a Neopolitan silver statue of the Saint from about 1735, and an ancient bell organ. Several ornate tapestries are also on display. One, depicting the Resurrection, dates back to 1530 and a second, The Last Supper, to 1607.

The Capuchin Convent and Church of Santa Maria della Salute was founded in 1576. Its architectural features respect the vows of poverty of the Franciscan Friars. The face of the church is adorned with a decorative rectilinear crown.

The Church of the Zoccolanti is in the historical center of the town. It is known that a restoration was completed in 1755 but earlier records indicate that the church has much older origins. On the main altar is a coat of arms of a Franciscan Minor Order and a wooden statue of Mary Immaculate dating back to 1696. On another altar there is an exceptional painting of a penitent Saint Margaret. The enclosed cloisters contain 17th century burial vaults with traces of fresco paintings.

On the outskirts of town, towards Teramo, is the Church of San Lorenzo which sits atop ancient Roman archaeological findings. The remains of the Temple of Hercules is located about four miles from Montorio al Vomano in the direction of L'Aquila along an ancient Roman road.