What is Barrea known for?

Artificial lake formed in 1951 by damming the Sangro river, 5 km long at 980 meters, with the medieval village above it. The park around Barrea holds the largest remaining population of the Marsican brown bear, the endangered Apennine subspecies. The Colleciglio necropolis outside the village holds funeral artifacts from the pre-Roman Samnite population, 6th-7th century BC.

Barrea is a comune in the province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo region of Italy, about 149 kilometers from Pescara.

Abruzzo · L'Aquila

Barrea

A 1,066-meter spur above an artificial lake at the heart of the Abruzzo National Park, with a Samnite necropolis and an 11th-century di Sangro castle.

1066m

Elevation

149 km / 93 mi

Nearest hub (Pescara)

710

Population

Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar

Best time to visit

Recognised as

Why come

Barrea sits at 1,066 meters on a spur at the heart of the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, looking down on Lago di Barrea, the lake created in 1951 by damming the Sangro river. The lake is 5 kilometers long, 980 meters above sea level, and the most photographed body of water in inland Abruzzo. The village descends from the pre-Roman Samnites, whose Colleciglio necropolis just outside the town has produced funeral artifacts from the 6th-7th century BC, now in a small museum opened in 2007. The medieval centro storico is a fortified knot of stone houses and narrow streets. The Chiesa di San Tommaso Apostolo was first built in the 13th century, repeatedly destroyed by earthquakes, fires, and war, and rebuilt with a baroque-stuccoed interior. The original castle, built in the 11th century by the di Sangro family who held the fief, stands just outside the village with towers and walls intact. Roughly 700 people remain. The park around them holds the largest population of Marsican brown bear and Apennine wolf in Italy.

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Gallery

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Known for

Castello dei di Sangro
11th-century fortress built by the di Sangro family, first feudal lords of Barrea, with towers and connecting walls now used for cultural events.
Chiesa di San Tommaso Apostolo
13th-century parish church, repeatedly damaged by earthquake, fire, and war, with baroque stucco and gilding from the 1600s and 18th-century paintings.
Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie
14th-century church, one of the oldest standing buildings of medieval Barrea, with a small portal of carved local stone.
Lago di Barrea
Artificial lake created in 1951 by damming the Sangro river, 5 km long at 980 meters, with kayak rental, walking trails, and bird hides.
Necropoli di Colleciglio
Pre-Roman Samnite necropolis on the slopes outside the village, with funeral artifacts from the 6th-7th century BC displayed in the town museum.
Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise
Italy's oldest national park, established 1923, with the largest populations of Marsican brown bear and Apennine wolf, and Barrea at its core.

When to visit

Best months · Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar

Best
Hot or crowded
Quiet
Mostly closed

June through September is when Barrea works in full: the lake warms enough to kayak, the park trails are clear, and the festa di San Tommaso fills the village in late August. December through March brings the second season, when the surrounding peaks turn white and the road from Pescasseroli stays clear for skiers heading to Roccaraso. October and November are damp and bear-sighting season; many guesthouses close. April and May are still cold at 1,066 meters and the lake is too cold for swimming. The high summer evenings, with the lake reflecting the village lights, are what bring people back the following year.