Because international visits to the ski slopes of Roccaraso in the Abruzzo Apennines are a challenge this winter, its an opportunity to shine a light on Castel di Sangro, just 15 minutes from Italy's fifth biggest ski area, and a firm favourite of www.skiabruzzo.com guests.

Historical notes:

Castel di Sangro, first settled thousands of years ago, was named Aufidena – a city of the Samnites – during the Roman era. It is considered the gateway to the Abruzzo region and has been important as a commercial centre for many centuries.

In its 'centro storico' a patchwork of picturesque streets and alleys rise up from the valley. Sitting grandly above it all is the imposing Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, built during the 15th century. Just below the Basilica is the Hotel Il Lavatoio, a charming bed and breakfast hotel which incorporates the remains of the Castel di Sangro public laundry (Il Lavatoio), where for centuries the townsfolk would do their weekly washing in shallowgranite troughs.

Castel di Sangro (and Roccaraso) were caught up in the hostilities of the 'Gustav Line' during World War 2's Battle for Italy in 1944. Both towns suffered serious damage and casualties. In the case of Roccaraso, 90% of the town was destroyed.

Gastronomy:

The current population of the small town is about 6,000 and there are at least twenty five restaurants to choose from. At the top of the pile, is 3 Michelin star Reale by Niko Romito, located in a 16th century former monastery called Casadonna, on a hillside overlooking the town. For five years in a row, Reale has been voted Italy's best restaurant and is currently ranked in the top 50 in the world. Niko Romito has taken Italian classics and re-imagined them, based on local ingredients, in the much acclaimed Reale tasting menu.

Reale alone is an incredible acheivement for a self taught chef from Castel di Sangro, but his acheivements and ambitions continue unabated, including the role of curating the gastronomy for luxury brand Bulgari hotels and resorts.

In 2018, ALT, a project created by the Niko Romito professional cookery school opened in Castel di Sangro offering an informal dining experience from breakfast to dinner, at very resonable prices. On their way out diners can purchase bread, jams and other artisan created items from the ALT shop.

Elsewhere in town, there are plenty of family run pizzerias, traditional and modern Italian restaurants, with a special mention for Ristorante Vittoria, specialising in delicious Baccalà (salt cod) based dishes, including a sublime Baccalà ravioli, while many other establishments offer hearty Abruzzo specialities, cooked with pride and passion. A mention too for the wines of Abruzzo including Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (red) and Pecorino (white).

* Further information and images on the Niko Romito organisation are available on request at www.nikoromito.com

Football and 'The Miracle of Castel di Sangro':

Castel di Sangro, famous as a destination for Italian holidaymakers, both summer and winter, is also venerated by lovers of football as the unlikely home to a team which became renowned for its history-making heroics.

Emerging from the abject wreckage of post-war Italy and prompted by Don Arbete, a Catholic priest trying to rebuild the community, the earliest team won their very first game against a neighbouring town. The bar had been set and by 1953 the club had stepped onto the bottom rung of the official Italian League system.

Not much happened for 30 years, but in 1983 the modest little club began climbing through the divisions until, in 1996, they were promoted – via a penalty save – to Serie B, the equivalent of the English Championship. Castel di Sangro remains the smallest town (population 5000 at the time) to ever have a team promoted to Serie B and this miraculous achievement generated banner headlines.

After a turbulent and incident-packed season involving a double tragedy, intrigue, police investigations, a dodgy owner, a crazy manager, unpaid bonuses, fake press conferences and a new stadium that seemingly would never, ever be finished, the team had perfomed its second miracle – avoiding relegation from Seria B.

Sadly, two seasons in Serie B were all the club were granted by the football gods and it now languishes in the lower regions of the Italian game after relegation, bankruptcy, dissolution and rebirth.

Maybe the good times will return. SSC Napoli – the former club of the late Diego Maradona – has chosen Castel di Sangro as its summer training retreat for the next five years.

*The whole story is captured brilliantly by American author Joe McGinnis, and 'The Miracle of Castel di Sangro' is compulsory reading for any true football fan.

SkiAbruzzo.com offers bespoke holidays for short breaks or longer stays. The competitive prices and availability of short breaks creates a readily available option very difficult to find elsewhere. All of SkiAbruzzo.com's holidays are individually tailored and can include ski school and equipment rental. Skiers choosing Abruzzo next season will find superb value for money, modern ski lifts, uncrowded slopes, short airport transfers and holidays tailor-made to suit their requirements, not ours. Flights (to Naples, Rome or Pescara) are not included.www,skiabruzzo.com

For further information please contact:

Graeme Spratley

SkiAbruzzo.com
Tel: 01428 641426

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E: graeme@skiabruzzo.com