Apart from its stunning location among the mountains, Sulmona has a host of tourist attractions to offer. These cover the entire period of its history, starting with 2,000 year old Roman ruins and ending with a museum dedicated to wedding sweets.
Top 10 tourist attractions Sulmona
01. San Panfilo Cathedral
Sulmona’s San Panfilo Cathedral is dedicated to the city’s patron saint. The most interesting part of the Duomo is the crypt, where the mortal remains of the saint himself are kept. Built in the 11th century on a pre-existing structure, the church was declared a national monument in 1902.
02. Corso Ovidio
Sulmona’s main street is the Corso Ovidio, and most tourist attractions are located near this street. Named after the Latin poet Ovid, the street starts at the Monument to the Victims of War and ends at the Porta Napoli.
03. Piazza Garibaldi
Piazza Garibaldi is Sulmona’s central square. The Fontana del Vecchio in the center of the square probably represents Solimo, the man who supposedly founded the city. A market is held in this square every Wednesday and Saturday.
04. Palazzo dell’Annunziata and Museo Civico
The Palazzo dell’Annunziata (seat of one of Sulmona’s tourist offices, plus a number of museums) is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. In its eventful history, it has served as a hospital, school, courthouse and drugstore, among other things. The Museo Civico is also in the building and has a collection of Roman mosaics along with sculptures from the Renaissance period. There is also a collection of ancient coins.
05. Sant’Onofrio al Morrone Monastery Sulmona
The Sant’Onofrio al Morrone Monastery is located in the Parco Nazionale della Majella, on a spur of Monte Morrone. Built in the 13th century, its main attraction is a 15th century fresco cycle. From the church you can enjoy a view of the nearby Badia Morronese, a monastic complex within a fortress, which also dates from the 13th century.
06. Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata
Next to the palace is the Santissima Annunziata Church. It was built in 1320 but its current baroque appearance is the result of a reconstruction after the 1320 earthquake. The church has a beautiful facade and is part of a complex that also includes the Palazzo dell’Annunziata.
07. Villa Comunale
Sulmona’s Villa Comunale (“Public Gardens”) starts at the end of Corso Ovidio, at the point where it turns into Viale Roosevelt. The Villa was laid out in the late 19th century, following a rigorously symmetrical project.
08. Piazza XX Settembre
Piazza XX Settembre is located between Piazza Garibaldi and the Villa Comunale. The statue in the square depicts Ovid.
09. San Filippo Neri Church
The San Filippo Neri Church stands in the central Piazza Garibaldi. The façade of this 17th-century Gothic church originally belonged to another church. When this church was about to collapse, its façade was moved to the then-unfinished San Filippo Neri.
10. Confetti Museum
The Museo dell’Arte Confettiera highlights the art of confetti making. Note that this is not the English meaning of the word confetti, but a kind of candy given to guests after a wedding. This consists of an almond with a sugar coating. This specialty of the city is practiced, among others, at the Fabbrica Confetti Pelino. The museum is free.