Casale in Catignano

The cluster sits in the Abruzzo foothills between the lower Gran Sasso side and the valleys that run toward the Pescara plain. The Tirino valley lies nearby, with the river known in this part of Abruzzo for very clear water and springs around Bussi and Capestrano. The Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park is within this inland mountain belt, with the nearest higher mountain country around Villa Celiera, Farindola and Rigopiano; the main ski lifts of Campo Imperatore are farther away and are a substantial mountain drive rather than local lifts. Penne is the nearest substantial historic town, with services, a cathedral area and a brick-and-stone old centre, and Atri and Pescara are the larger day-to-day reference towns farther out. This part of inland Pescara province is known for hill villages, olive groves and access routes up toward the Gran Sasso side.