Celano (Abruzzo)

Celano is a town and comune in the Province of L'Aquila, central Italy, 120 km (75 mi) east of Rome by rail. The most important monument of the town is the square Piccolomini Castle, with round towers at the corners, erected in its present form on the top of the San Vittorino Hill. On January 13, 1915, the castle was seriously damaged by a terrible earthquake that destroyed many villages in the area. The restoration began 25 years later, in 1940, but was interrupted because of the Second World War and was resumed only in 1955, with completion in 1960. Today, the castle hosts the Museum of Sacred Art of the Marsica. The beautiful castle is easily recognisable driving on the highway A25 between Rome and Pescara. Celano is home to three churches with 13th-century façades, in the style of those of L'Aquila.