Sulmona: History, Hiking Trails and Confetti

Sulmona combines impressive architectural history with museum visits, hiking trails and a long-standing confectionery tradition. This mix gives your trip several possible focuses: you can explore the city’s medieval history, discover collections and crafts, or set aside time to enjoy the surrounding landscape. When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to first consider which side of Sulmona you want to shape your stay.

Architectural history around Sulmona

The Acquedotto Medioevale was built in 1256 during the reign of Manfred of Sicily. It carried water from the Gizio River to irrigate the city gardens, power mills and workshops, and supply the city’s fountains. The aqueduct therefore tells the story not only of medieval engineering but also of how closely the water supply was connected to urban life.

The Complesso della Santissima Annunziata offers another historical and artistic connection: it consists of a church and an adjoining palace, bringing together different forms of artistic expression. The church features Baroque forms that emerged from a reconstruction begun in 1710. Anyone interested in architecture can take in both the building and its long history here. The Abbazia celestiniana di Santo Spirito a Morrone was founded around the middle of the 13th century at the foot of Monte Morrone at the initiative of the future Pope Celestine V. The Eremo di Sant’Onofrio is also connected with him: Pietro Angelerio, the future Pope Celestine V, founded the hermitage in 1293.

Museums: art, crafts and everyday life

The museums offer a range of different perspectives. At the Museo Pelino dell’Arte e della Tecnologia Confettiera, insights into the history of confetti-making are paired with a reconstructed 18th-century confectionery workshop featuring original machinery. Exhibits include historical patents from the Pelino factory, awards, sugar wrappers from the 19th and 20th centuries, and artistic compositions made from confetti. The museum highlights both the development of the craft and its artistic side.

The Polo Culturale Civico Diocesano di Santa Chiara – Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra houses artworks dating from the 12th to the 19th century. The collection includes panel and canvas paintings, stonework, wooden sculptures, goldsmithing, codices and textiles. The Museo del Costume Popolare Abruzzese e Molisano e della Transumanza offers another way to explore local culture: it presents ethnography through prints, folk costumes and everyday objects, mainly associated with sheep farming. This gives you a genuine choice between sacred art, traditional crafts and insights into ways of life and work.

Hiking trails and historic routes

The Eremo di Sant’Onofrio lies 600 metres above sea level on a steep cliff overlooking the Conca Peligna. The walk to the hermitage takes about 20 minutes. Its elevation and views over the basin give the destination a different character from the museums and architectural landmarks. When planning your visit, take the approximate walking time and trail conditions into account.

The Sentiero della Libertà takes longer: the trail is about 60 kilometres long and is completed in three stages over three days. It also has historical significance. The route follows the path taken by Allied prisoners and young Italians after 8 September 1943 in the struggle to liberate Italy. If you’re choosing between a shorter walk and a multi-day hike, the options differ clearly in walking time and scale. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

The confetti tradition and trip planning

Sulmona confetti are made from a whole, peeled almond coated with several layers of sugar. The tradition of making them has ancient origins and has been documented over the centuries. The Museo Pelino adds a look at machinery, patents and artistic forms to this culinary speciality. This lets you explore the product and the craft as two related but distinct sides of the local tradition.

The modern Giostra Cavalleresca also has its own cultural significance: riders representing Sulmona’s city districts compete in speed and ring-jousting contests. If you’d like to include the event in your trip, check the exact dates in advance. Sulmona can be reached by train from Rome and Pescara; check current timetables when planning your journey.

These themes offer different ways to plan your days around the interests of everyone in your travel group, without having to focus on just one side of Sulmona.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pettorano Sul Gizio, Lecce Nei Marsi, Scanzano, Balsorano, Gioia Dei Marsi, Santo Stefano Di Sessanio, Roccacasale, Santi.

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