In the 19th century Lake Fucino, then the third largest lake on the Italian peninsula, was drained in one of the era's biggest engineering projects; what replaced it is a farming plain that now also holds a technology district. That is the scale of things in the province of L'Aquila, the only landlocked province in Abruzzo and the largest, least densely populated one: it covers roughly half the region on its own, with 108 municipalities scattered across the Gran Sasso, Maiella and Velino-Sirente massifs.
This is where you find Corno Grande, the highest peak in the Apennines, and the Calderone, the southernmost glacier in Europe. Campo Imperatore is the high plain you cross to reach them, and not far off stands Rocca Calascio, the best known of the many fortresses guarding these mountains. After the capital, the largest towns are Avezzano and Sulmona, while the lakes of Scanno and Barrea offer a gentler side of the same mountains.
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Our editors' ranking: the area's most important places, drawn from the individual town guides. See the national rankings →
1 🏰 Castles & palaces Rocca Calascio 📍 Calascio The highest fortress in the Apennines is a 10th-century military stronghold overlooking the Gran Sasso National Park. 
2 🌋 Nature & views Campo Imperatore 📍 L'Aquila Known as "Little Tibet," this vast Apennine plateau features Europe's southernmost glacier and a rich cinematic history. 
3 🏺 Archaeological sites Amiternum 📍 L'Aquila Sallust's Sabine city under the fields: a theatre, an amphitheatre and a whole Amiternum never excavated. Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
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📅 Every year, on 23 October
On 23 October Capestrano celebrates its patron and fellow townsman Saint John of Capistrano; the town preserves the Castello Piccolomini and the site where the Warrior of Capestrano was found.
📅 Every year, on 26 October
On 26 October San Demetrio ne' Vestini celebrates its patron Saint Demetrius; the town hosts Lake Sinizzo and holds the Wheat and Bread Festival in August.
📅 Every year, on 23 November
On 23 November Fossa celebrates its patron Saint Clement; the town preserves the Chiesa di Santa Maria ad Cryptas, renowned for its thirteenth-century frescoes.
📅 Every year, on 24 November
On 24 November Barisciano celebrates its patron Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople and martyr; the town preserves a Roman bridge.
