Sentiero storico di Federico II

The ruins of medieval Celano preserve traces of the town destroyed on Frederick II’s orders in 1223. A modern heritage trail interprets the walls, towers and gates on Monte Tino, where a summit cross was raised in 1934.

Why it matters

Opened during the Anno Federiciano of 2023, eight centuries after the destruction of the old town, the trail interprets the plateau of Monte Tino, also called the Serra di Celano, as an open-air archaeological site. Its path crosses the fortifications of ancient Celano.

What to notice

The route is marked by the CAI sub-section of Celano in cooperation with the Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente-Velino. Panels at points across the old town describe its remains: curtain walls with rompitratta turrets, terraces, dwelling foundations and a water cistern. The enclosure also held the Fons Aurea spring and the church spared in 1223. On the ridge, an iron cross raised in 1934 marks the site of the Turris Caelani, overlooking the Fucino basin.

Context and history

The path commemorates the political catastrophe that created modern Celano. Count Tommaso of Celano led the baronial opposition to Frederick II, resisted the emperor for about two years, and in 1223 saw his town taken, destroyed and repopulated by force, with survivors deported to Sicily and Malta. The trail is a recent heritage project, inaugurated in 2023 by the municipality with the CAI and the regional park, whose waymarking guides walkers through the archaeological remains.