Centro Informazioni del Parco della Majella — Fara San Martino

At Fara San Martino, the Majella National Park Information Centre introduces the eastern side of the massif and the Vallone di Fara San Martino. Its natural-history displays present the landscapes of the eastern Maiella and the centre's cultural context includes the nearby Benedictine remains of San Martino in Valle.

Why it matters

Fara San Martino lies at the mouth of the long gorge that cuts into the eastern Maiella. The park's information centre combines an exhibition on the area's natural environments with the history of the town and its relationship to the mountain.

What to notice

The centre's natural-history displays focus on characteristic environments of the eastern slope. Beyond the town, the remains of San Martino in Valle stand near the entrance to the gorge. The excavated monastery includes an entrance gate, a three-arched portico, a bell gable and a church with a fitted-stone portal.

Context and history

Fara San Martino grew around the Benedictine monastery of San Martino in Valle, recorded from 894. The settlement's history is closely connected to the Verde, whose abundant water later supported the town's pasta-making industry. The monastery's remains were uncovered after alluvial deposits buried the site in the 19th century.