Bisenti - Abruzzo
The origins of the town of Bisenti date back to Roman times, being one of the towns that has claimed to have been the birthplace of Pontius Pilate, a Roman politician who decided on the death sentence of Jesus. Although is not until 1084 when the name Bisemptum appeared in local parish documents. The town is situated in the high valley of the river Fino in the ancient territory of Vestinia, about 35km from the Adriatic Sea and close to the Gran Sasso mountain range.
Bisenti is known for the revival of the grape and Montonico wine. Bisenti and Poggio delle Rose (Cermignano) both located in the province of Teramo, are connected to each other through their production of Montonico grapes and wine. Every year this is celebrated in Bisenti with a wine festival during the first weekend in October.
Churches
The Sanctuary of San Gabriele of Our Lady of Sorrows, located in the municipality of Isola del Gran Sasso d’Italia is 30-40 minutes from Bisenti. The Sanctuary is one of the fifteen most visited religious sites with approximately 2 million visitors. It contains the remains of Francesco Possenti, patron of Abruzzo.
Santa Maria degli Angeli can be found within the central square in the historical part of Bisenti. The original structure dates back to the 15th century, the current building is a Baroque style through renovations and expansion dating back to end of the 18th century.
Church of Saint Anthony which dates back to the 14th century, is located next to the main sporting field below the city walls of Bisenti, and is a small church. Only open during religious ceremonies, such as the Festa in onore di Sant’Antonio Abate on 16th – 17th January.
Church of Saint Peter situated at an altitude of 565 metres on the outskirts of Bisenti, this church in unworked stone is lit by single-lancet windows with a single nave.
Medieval tower
Tower of Queen Joanna 12th Century, is the only one that still stands in Bisenti. The other two towers were lost due to collapse and demolition. All three towers are still depicted on the coat of arms for the municipality of Bisenti. Visitors can walk up to the tower and admire the structure. It is possible to go inside, although only the ground floor can be seen. You can look up and see the roof of the Tower from within.
Fonte Vecchia under the high walls of the Piazzetta della Legna is the remains of an old cistern, an ancient water source for collection by the residents.
Montonico Wine museum, located just outside the main square in the historical part of Bisenti provides a history of the vine. Inside the museum visitors can see paintings, photographs and exhibits. There is also a multimedia room with ceramics that celebrate past revivals of the wine festival.
Mural trail – There are many murals in Bisenti, the Ratike project that happens every year, involves artists who create urban artworks and murals on the historic buildings in Bisenti. The murals and artworks depict fictional characters.
Bisenti Self Guided Walk - In the Bisenti historic centre, information signs with QR codes can be found at historical buildings/sites such as the medieval tower and at Pontius Pilates house. By scanning the QR codes this provides more information in various languages.
Pontius Pilate house is located behind the Pino Verde restaurant; his residence has cobblestones similar to Roman domus. Within the house there is an ancient well-cistern with an underground hydraulic system that connects to the Fonte Vecchia via various tunnels.
Bisenti is the only municipality in the area that has a theatre. The theatre regularly hosts theatre companies, with shows and the plays advertised on social media.
Ciccone Vini Cantina & Vigneto in Bisenti - The Vineyard and Winery produce Montonico Abruzzo PDO wine and Classic Method sparkling wine aged 60 months, within a 10-hectare estate located in Chioviano Basso of Bisenti at 330 metres above sea level. The Vineyard offers the possibility of a tour with private tasting lasting approximately 2 hours. In the "Governor's Room" you can taste the entire wine line paired with the best gastronomic products of the area.
Scenic Spots
Vado di Sole (Castel del Monte): About an hour's drive from Bisenti, this area offers a rest stop surrounded by nature with spectacular views. It's a great spot for a picnic with a view.
Atri Viewpoint: About a 30-40 minute drive away, this panoramic viewpoint in Atri offers views of the landscape from the Adriatic Sea to the peaks of the Majella and Gran Sasso mountains.
Typical Dishes to Try
In Bisenti, "baccalà" is a real specialty, often understood as stockfish (dried salted cod) which is soaked in water for a long time to rehydrate it and remove the salt before cooking. It is prepared in various ways, as demonstrated by themed events, with local restaurants such as the Agriturismo Domus offering dedicated evenings highlighting its importance.
Pasta alla mulinara is a single thread of pasta as wide as your finger and very long. A recipe of the territory that was a closely guarded secret, and passed down through the generations of local women. In 2023, Bisenti was given the Piccolo Comune Amico (Friendly Small Municipality) award promoted by Codacons in the Agri-food category for the pasta alla mulinara.
Tatù tipici bisentini are ancient biscuits from Bisenti, they are hard in texture when first made and soften over time. The biscuits ingredients are flour, honey, almonds, cocoa, eggs, cinnamon, lemon, and can be cooked with wine and liqueurs.
Beautiful Trails to do and Bike Routes
Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park: Bisenti is located near this park, which offers hiking and cycling, through nature with impressive views.
Calanchi di Atri Regional Nature Reserve: This reserve about 13 km from Bisenti, has unique geological formations.
Gole dell-inferno Spaccato (Inferno Split Gorges): Located just outside the nearby village of Arsita in the heart of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, there is a hike through dense beech forests with beautiful scenery. The hike leads to the source of the Fino River and the Gole dell-inferno Spaccato which is a hundred metres long through a narrow rock split corridor.
Abruzzo Trail – MAGS Experience: The Abruzzo Trail MAGS Experience, is a Bikepacking experience that is suitable for Mountain and Gravel bikes. The Classic route goes through Bisenti and participants choose their pace, and the kilometres covered.
Bars
Always a warm welcome awaits at Bar Tullio De Ovidiis, located in Bisenti’s Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and situated next to the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. A great little bar, the hosts are always very friendly. A good spot in the sunshine with various snacks provided with your aperitif.
Bar Pasticceria Donatella, located opposite the roundabout near the Pontius Pilate statue, it is a great location to watch the community of Bisenti go by and to catch up with friends. They have fresh pastries and savoury options to go with their freshly brewed coffee
Agriturismo Domus Colle Marmo, within the green hills of Colle Marmo, its vistas are across the Gran Sasso mountains, a place where you can have dinner with a beautiful view. Often hosting special events to celebrate the local cuisine.
Agriturismo Vista Gran Sasso, is surrounded in nature at the foot of the Gran Sasso, traditional dishes are prepared in a warm and welcoming atmosphere with breathtaking mountain views.
Le Chicche Foodpoint – A local business run by Marco and Krizia, a very friendly couple. This new business has been a great addition to the historical town of Bisenti. Offering a takeaway service, the food is always fresh, tasty and ranges from pizzas, hotdogs, hot sandwiches, and hamburgers.
Centini Chocolate founded in 1959, is an artisan pastry and chocolate shop. Selling freshly baked bread and handmade chocolates. These Master Chocolatiers also produce the famous Tatù known throughout the world, which are diamond-shaped biscuits.
Consorzio SoprafFino are five producers that are united in their love for the local area and authentic quality. Promoting local food, wine and culture. Only open for certain events which are publicised through their Facebook page.
Patrizia Fazzini’s Ceramic shop within this wonderful shop you will find hand painted ceramic pieces created by Patrizia and her husband Camillo. Patrizia who is a native of Castelli (world famous for its ceramics) applies traditional techniques to create Artisanal ceramics.
Sotto il Campanile, located in the historic part of Bisenti, this small family friendly restaurant uses freshly prepared ingredients including mulinara pasta, gnocchi with ragù, lamb and cooked vegetables.
L'Amicizia, just a short drive outside of Bisenti, this restaurant offers traditional appetizers, tripe, pork rinds and beans, and stew. For first courses, they offer ravioli, chitarra alla teramana, gnocchi, mugnaia, and fettuccine alla boscaiola. For the second course, they offer a delicious mixed grilled roast. They also offer set dinners with live entertainment.
Pino Verde, opposite our apartments in Bisenti, during the day they offer a choice of traditional lunches of boscaiola and gnocchi with ragù, combined with a café/bar service. At the weekends they open their pizzeria for evening meals.
Bisenti’s Sagre and Feste
Arriva la Befana – 6th January
A witch like woman who delivers gifts to children on Epiphany Eve (evening of 5th January) usually an event is organised in Bisenti.
Festa in onore di Sant’Antonio Abate – 16th - 17th January
Traditional singing groups that visit door to door with the inhabitants of Bisenti offering gifts such as sausages, cheese, salami, wine and uccelletti (little birds). The uccelletti are pastry or sweets in the shape of little birds.
Festa di San Pietro – 9th - 10th April
Includes the traditional lighting of the fire, followed by a religious ceremony.
Bisenti Virtuosa – 1st May
A day together, enjoying history, art, good food and music. An aperitif and lunch with musical entertainment, and a guided tourist walk.
Saint Pashcal Baylon, patron saint of Bisenti – 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th May
The first three days are the religious programme followed by a civil programme on the last day. The civil programme includes a parade of the band through the streets followed by the presentation of the ‘Bisentino d’Oro’ award. This award recognises men, women, and associations from Bisenti who have brought prestige and visibility to the town. This is followed by live music and finally to close the event there are fireworks.
Coloriamoci Sopra! – 7th and 8th June
Festival celebrating colour, music and art in the historic centre of Bisenti.
Beersenti Festival – 25th and 26th June
Craft beer festival over two days includes food, wine stands and live music.
This is a gastronomic event with a white theme and is a food, wine and culinary competition. The dinner offering is presented to a panel of judges who award prizes.
Passeggiata sul Fiume Fino – 23rd July
A nature excursion organised with a route that crosses the riverbed of the River Fino, at times the water reaches up to your knees! The route leads up to the church of San Pietro near Arsita. The event includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Festa in onore Santa Maria degli Angeli 30-31 July and 1st, 2nd, 3rd August
A religious ceremony, followed by a musical celebration.
Sagre dei Maccheroni alla Mulinara 1st August 1st and 2nd August
Held in Bisenti’s historic centre, two evenings that are dedicated to maccheroni alla mulinara. This is an ancient Bisenti recipe passed down through local women. An opportunity to walk along the historic alleys, listen to folk music and an opportunity to taste this traditional dish.
Open air cinema – 3rd August
With live music from 8.30pm followed by the film at 10pm.
Ratike Art Festival – 25th and 26th August
Live murals, food, wine and music festival around the centre of Bisenti.
Revival Grape and Montonico Wine Festival – First weekend in October
The Montonico grape cultivation dates back to Roman times. This festival is dedicated to grapes and wine, and also includes a food festival. Held over four days, this popular festival attracts lots of people and celebrates culture, folklore and traditions. Including exhibitions, visits to wineries, tastings, live bands, food and wine stalls. There is a float parade on the final day of the festival which is a competition between many of the wineries from across the country. Each float is awarded points and the winner is announced at the end of the festival.
Festa San Martino – 11th November
Mulled wine and chestnuts await amongst the many food stalls; all accompanied with live music in the centre of Bisenti.
Christmas Market and Party – 8th December
From 3pm onwards, held in the old part of Bisenti, live music, food, crafts and Babba Natale’s house. Young children can write a letter to Babba Natale and meet him in person.
Sfogliatelle Competition – 13th December
Traditional shell shaped pastry filled with a sweet or creamy filling which originated from Campagia region in Italy. The event is hosted by the Consorzio Sopraffino.
Nativity Procession – 27th December
Sacred representation of the Nativity procession through the historic centre of Bisenti.
Local activities
At Silvi Marina, approximately forty five minutes away from Bisenti there are a few free beaches. One free beach is next to the Lido Marlin. The water in the summer is warm and clear and it is great opportunity for small children to build sandcastles.
Campo Imperatore is eighty minutes by car from Bisenti, located in the heart of the Gran Sasso known as Little Tibet. It is an area of natural outstanding beauty; a vast plateau located between 1.500 and 2.100 above sea level. It also offers skiing during the winter months. A popular destination for hikers, there is also an observatory and alpine botanical garden. A popular place to eat is Ristoro Mucciante. This restaurant provides cured meats, cheeses, wine, beers and desserts. The highlight is its offerings of lamb, pork, veal and arrosticini. Once the diner purchases the meat, they can cook it upon one of many barbeques that are dotted around outside. Benches and tables are also available for use.
Just forty minutes away by car from Bisenti is the Penne Nature Reserve. A vast reserve that spans 150 hectares, an important site for birds in particular the Black-crowned Night Heron. Within this reserve is Lake Penne which was formed artificially and is approximately 70 hectares. The reserve itself is managed by the Municipality of Penne, the Consorzio di Bonifica Centro and WWF Italy.
There are a number of activities that visitors can participate in whilst visiting this area of natural beauty. Some of the activities can be undertaken by making a booking with Wolftour, such as Canadian canoeing on Lake Penne where participants will get to see local nature from the water. There is also the opportunity through Wolftour to hire bikes and use their Labyrinth bike park, which has multiple mountain bike trails.
The Collalto Adventure Park also operated by Wolftour is available to larger groups, there are Tibetan and Tyrolean bridges that are suspended above the forest floor. There are seven games in total that have to be completed as a group.
The Sentiero Serafino Razzo trail is also located within Penne Nature Reserve. This circular scenic route around the reserve crosses the Tavo stream. There is also a wooden Tibetan suspension bridge along the trail.
A Wolf and Hybrid center managed by WWF Oasis was set up to offer a retreat for rescued wolf hybrids that cannot be re-introduced into the wild. Here at the sanctuary the animals live in groups within large enclosures.
Just under an hour by car from Bisenti is the Gran Sasso Adventure Park. Located within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. Activities on offer include orienteering, archery, a picnic/relaxation area, e-bike rental and suspended rope courses.
