Capannelle Pass
Encyclopedia
The Capannelle Pass is a mountain pass
in Italy
. It sits at an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level in the Province of L'Aquila
in Italy's Abruzzo
Region. It is located on the Italian State Highway 80 which passes near the Gran Sasso
in the Apennines.
This famous pass probably takes its name from the small pastoral huts ("capannelle") which dot the landscape. They were used in times past by the local shepherds during the transumanza
for protection from the elements, especially the rain and snow showers which can unexpectedly arise in the area.
The Capannelle Pass is an important transportation point linking the Province of Teramo
with the Province of L'Aquila
. The area is well known for hosting the Grand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park
, a touristic biway running through the heart of the national park between Montorio al Vomano
ad Amiternum
.
to the other. The pass became a favorite place for local brigands to attack hapless groups of travelers. Notorious for his bloody deeds was the infamous Giuseppe Palombieri. Palombieri was finally captured by Chiaffredo Bergia, a carabiniere (member of the Italian national police force) who had gained bragging rights for having put another brigand, Andrea Andreani, behind bars.
During the struggle to subdue Palombieri which took place near the Italian village of Campotosto
shots were fired and Bergia was wounded. Bergia's persistence was rewarded, however, and he was eventually able to prevail over his erstwhile rival. Palombieri was found to be carrying a document which he had written imploring his co-conspirators to carry out a vendetta aimed at the residents and mayor of nearby Fano Adriano
. In recognition of his bravery, Bergia was awarded a silver medal and promoted to the rank of brigadier.
to the west and more difficult climbs in the direction of L'Aquila
to the west. The Giro d'Italia
has been staged in this area on several occasions. Nearby destinations include Lake Campotosto
and Campo Imperatore
.
Mountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It sits at an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level in the Province of L'Aquila
Province of L'Aquila
thumb|left|200px|Map of the province.The Province of L'Aquila is the largest, most mountainous and least densely populated province of the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It comprises about half the landmass of Abruzzo and occupies the western part of the region...
in Italy's Abruzzo
Abruzzo
Abruzzo is a region in Italy, its western border lying less than due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east...
Region. It is located on the Italian State Highway 80 which passes near the Gran Sasso
Gran Sasso
Gran Sasso d'Italia is a mountain located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. The Gran Sasso forms the centerpiece of the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park which was established in 1993 and holds the highest mountains in continental Italy south of the Alps and is part of the...
in the Apennines.
This famous pass probably takes its name from the small pastoral huts ("capannelle") which dot the landscape. They were used in times past by the local shepherds during the transumanza
Transumanza
The transumanza is the Italian term for transhumance, the traditional twice yearly migration of sheep and cows from the highlands to the lowlands, and vice versa. The word literally means "crossing the land"...
for protection from the elements, especially the rain and snow showers which can unexpectedly arise in the area.
The Capannelle Pass is an important transportation point linking the Province of Teramo
Province of Teramo
The Province of Teramo is located in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Teramo. The province has an area of 1,948 km², a population of 296,063 , and is subdivided into 47 comunes , see Comunes of the Province of Teramo...
with the Province of L'Aquila
Province of L'Aquila
thumb|left|200px|Map of the province.The Province of L'Aquila is the largest, most mountainous and least densely populated province of the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It comprises about half the landmass of Abruzzo and occupies the western part of the region...
. The area is well known for hosting the Grand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park
Grand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park
The Grand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is located in the Abruzzo Region of Italy. Located along the tract of land from Montorio al Vomano to Amiternum, the road stands as the most enchanting portion of the old thoroughfare connecting the provincial capitals of...
, a touristic biway running through the heart of the national park between Montorio al Vomano
Montorio al Vomano
Montorio al Vomano is a town and comune in the Province of Teramo, in the Abruzzo region of southern Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".-Geography:...
ad Amiternum
Amiternum
Amiternum, a traditional cradle of the Sabines, is an ancient Sabine prefecture in the Abruzzo region of modern Italy at 9 km from L'Aquila. Amiternum was the birthplace of the historian Sallust .It was stormed by the Romans in 293 BC...
.
Brigands
Although covered with snow in the winter and barely accessible at other times of the year, the Capanelle Pass in days past served as the only practical way to travel from one side of the Gran SassoGran Sasso
Gran Sasso d'Italia is a mountain located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. The Gran Sasso forms the centerpiece of the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park which was established in 1993 and holds the highest mountains in continental Italy south of the Alps and is part of the...
to the other. The pass became a favorite place for local brigands to attack hapless groups of travelers. Notorious for his bloody deeds was the infamous Giuseppe Palombieri. Palombieri was finally captured by Chiaffredo Bergia, a carabiniere (member of the Italian national police force) who had gained bragging rights for having put another brigand, Andrea Andreani, behind bars.
During the struggle to subdue Palombieri which took place near the Italian village of Campotosto
Campotosto
Campotosto is a comune and town in the province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park....
shots were fired and Bergia was wounded. Bergia's persistence was rewarded, however, and he was eventually able to prevail over his erstwhile rival. Palombieri was found to be carrying a document which he had written imploring his co-conspirators to carry out a vendetta aimed at the residents and mayor of nearby Fano Adriano
Fano Adriano
Fano Adriano is a town and comune in the province of Teramo, part of the Abruzzo region of eastern Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
. In recognition of his bravery, Bergia was awarded a silver medal and promoted to the rank of brigadier.
Visit by bicycle
The Capannelle Pass features gentle slopes in the direction of TeramoTeramo
Teramo is a city and comune in the central Italian region of Abruzzo, the capital of the province of Teramo.The city, from Rome, is situated between the highest mountains of the Apennines and the Adriatic coast...
to the west and more difficult climbs in the direction of L'Aquila
L'Aquila
L'Aquila is a city and comune in central Italy, both the capital city of the Abruzzo region and of the Province of L'Aquila. , it has a population of 73,150 inhabitants, but has a daily presence in the territory of 100,000 people for study, tertiary activities, jobs and tourism...
to the west. The Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
has been staged in this area on several occasions. Nearby destinations include Lake Campotosto
Lake Campotosto
Lake Campotosto is a man-made lake in the Abruzzo, Italy. The reservoir is located at an elevation of 1,313 m and comprises an area of 14 square kilometres. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".The lake is reachable via the Italian State...
and Campo Imperatore
Campo Imperatore
Campo Imperatore is a mountain grassland or alpine meadow formed by a high basin shaped plateau located in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy in the Gran Sasso massif. It is the largest plateau of the Apennine ridge...
.
See also
- List of highest paved roads in Europe
- List of mountain passes
- Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National ParkGran Sasso e Monti della Laga National ParkThe Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is a natural park in Italy, which was established in 1991. It has an area of 2,014 square kilometres...
- Grand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National ParkGrand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National ParkThe Grand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is located in the Abruzzo Region of Italy. Located along the tract of land from Montorio al Vomano to Amiternum, the road stands as the most enchanting portion of the old thoroughfare connecting the provincial capitals of...