GESSOPALENA Gessopalena is a small town with 1454 inhabitants situated on a hill at 654m altitude. The name has been changed a few times over the years: first ancient Terra Gypsi, then Gesso prope Palena and now it is called Gessopalena . Its name derives from the stones of Gypsum from which it is built.

THE ANCIENT VILLAGE The suggestive ancient little village, that stands on the top of the Gypsum rocks, takes the name of shining stone: completely hallowed into the Gypsum stone, it presents houses with caves, stables and oil presses. More regular and modelled stones were used to build buildings and noble palaces.

THE MONUMENTS OF THE ANCIENT VILLAGE In the ancient village there are remains of some churches: Abbey of S. Egidio from the XVI century and Sant’Antonio.

THE MONUMENTS OF GESSOPALENA The church of Santa Maria Maggiore has a very big and beautiful portal at its front, made with the Maiella stone and dates back to the XIV century.

The church of Santa Maria dei Raccomandati dates back to the XV century and inside there is a wooden triptych made with Tempera paint rappresenting the Madonna of Raccomandati and the saints. It is situated in the square of Gessopalena.

In the center of the square there is a shell-shaped fountain with a statue of a beautiful woman.