Casa Benedetta

22/10/2026

What if the enormous stone formations of Abruzzo were the work of giants?
At Fiabosco, in Sant’Eufemia a Maiella, Il Gigante brings ancient legends to life. Across Abruzzo, huge stone walls and mysterious rock formations inspired stories of giants and extraordinary feats of strength.
One local legend tells of Samson throwing an enormous mass of rock from Palena to Gessopalena, creating the Morgia.
Fact or folklore? These are the stories that make exploring Abruzzo so fascinating.
Discover more mythical creatures and legends of Abruzzo with Casa Benedetta.

22/10/2026

Always worth reposting this stunning

21/10/2026

High in the Maiella mountains of Abruzzo, the Eremo di Santo Spirito a Maiella feels like a world apart.
This ancient hermitage is closely connected with Pietro da Morrone, who later became Pope Celestine V. But one of its most intriguing features lies beyond the church: climb the Scala Santa, or Holy Staircase, and you'll reach the Oratory of Mary Magdalene.
Tucked into this remarkable religious complex, it's an unexpected discovery in a place shaped by centuries of solitude, prayer and spiritual life.
A fascinating corner of Abruzzo where history and atmosphere come together.

21/10/2026

La Strega ..the witch ..is one of the fantastical figures brought to life at Fiabosco, a woodland trail in Sant’Eufemia a Maiella, Abruzzo.
Witchcraft and superstition were once part of traditional village beliefs in this region. In Castel del Monte, an ancient folk ritual known as ru rite de’ re sette sporte was performed in the belief that it could protect sick children from witches. Today, the tradition lives on through a theatrical event that recalls those old stories.
Here in the woods, La Strega reminds us of a time when folklore helped people make sense of the things they feared and couldn't explain.
Have you heard the old stories about witches in Italy?

21/10/2026

Meet the Mazzamurillo, a mischievous creature from the folklore of Abruzzo.
In local tales, this little sprite was known for playing tricks and causing disturbances, sometimes making strange noises around the house. In some traditions, its presence was even associated with hidden treasure.
You'll find this fantastical character among the sculptures of Fiabosco, a woodland trail in Sant'Eufemia a Maiella where the folklore and legends of Abruzzo are brought to life through art.
Have you heard of the Mazzamurillo before?

21/10/2026

Inside the Church of San Bartolomeo Apostolo in Sant’Eufemia a Maiella, Abruzzo, is an extraordinary piece of historic woodwork: a 6.15-metre-high wooden ciborium, richly decorated during the 16th and 17th centuries.
This remarkable pyramid-shaped work stands behind the main altar, with niches that once held numerous wooden statues, many of which were lost during the German occupation in the Second World War.
A fascinating piece of history tucked away in a mountain village in Abruzzo, Italy.

20/10/2026

20/10/2026

Every loaf has been better than the last, and I genuinely thought I'd peaked with the previous one. Then I lifted the lid on this beauty. Look at that crust!
Homemade bread, just delicious

20/10/2026

In the folklore of Abruzzo, the Pandafeche is associated with the terrifying sensation of waking unable to move, sometimes feeling a weight pressing on your chest.
Traditionally, people used this mysterious figure to explain an experience we now recognise as sleep paralysis. Descriptions of the Pandafeche vary across local traditions ..and here, at Fiabosco in the forests of Sant’Eufemia a Maiella, it takes this haunting human form.
A centuries-old fear, brought to life among the trees of Abruzzo.