Villa Scontrone

According to historians, Scontrone predates the present capital city of the region—Abruzzo. In fact, its origins go back to more than a few hundred years ago.

By practical intelligence and necessity, the farmers of Scontrone constructed the first "farms" on which they were able to store their tools and shelter their animals in the Sangro Valley. Subsequently, they constructed buildings to stay in overnight to curtail the arduous walk up and down the mountain every day. Since then Villa Scontrone has been transformed into a wonderful place to live, play, and work. One can still see remnants of the old animal stalls in the outskirts of town. In a publication written during the summer of 2003, Professor Cercone, claimed that the origins of the Scontrone civilization predated the period of the Roman empire.

The Simple Life

Here you find pleasant surroundings immersed in lush green trees, foliage, and grass, laid down on plains sculptured by the flow of the Sangro river. The homes and structures are harmonious with the land. It is a clean area which is inhabited by kind mountain folk who welcome you into their houses with open arms. It is difficult to describe how a place with such few inhabitants and which is so far from city culture, can succeed with such a simple thing as appreciating the divine beauty of people, things, and traditions. And it is difficult to express in words the sensation of prosperity you feel when you breathe air which is so clear and unpolluted.

Fun in the Sun

The children are free to walk around and bicycle in a safe and sound environment where they can have fun with all of their friends. In the summer, a miniclub is organized to let them enjoy all the town has to offer and to meet and learn from others. The city organizes fun and games, workshops, singing, dancing, and other congenial activities.

Things here are good for the young people who can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities and entertainment, or indoor clubs where they can meet with their old friends and make new friends. In the “drive in,” the well-known place which serves as a center for young people to find their friends, they make their plans to do the things they enjoy.

Overall, the Scontrone area is a place fitting for the enjoyment of all the good things life has to offer. Everyone has the space to be themselves and express themselves, or the opportunity to participate in organized activities fit for their individual talents and inclinations.

The Monastaery of Pope Celestino V

Visit his Ancient Dwelling Place in Villa Scontrone

The life of Pope Celestino V, who was named Peter Angelerio at birth, was the subject of several biographies and were mainly written to describe his travels and stays in the Abruzzo region. His life was always a subject that interested many people. The tales of Pope Celestino V’s  beginning of his religious life as a hermit in the Sangro Valley area were only recently discovered. Vincenzo Balzano wrote a very informative biography of Pope Celestino V entitled, “The Life of a Commoner in the Kingdom.”                      

Later, with more intensive historical research, more details of Pope Celestino’s life were discovered. The research was difficult because of the number of documents and parish registers which were destroyed in the Sangro Valley area during World War II and by fires.

Brother Peter Angelerio started his religious life as a hermit in Faifoli (Isernia). He wanted to dedicate his life to the Lord but was unsure about what he should do. He searched for a sign from above and apparently found it while traveling through the Sangro Valley region. In the middle of a winter he was caught in a snowstorm near Castel di Sangro and forced to seek refuge in the Church of St. Nicolas. He prayed to Our Lord and St. Nicolas for help. He was rewarded with word of a hermit who lived in the mountains near the Village of Scontrone, and he decided to search for the hermit.

The search for the hermit was in vain. During his search for the hermit his commitment to a life of celibacy was threatened by two women (or demons) of low moral character. But his love of Christ, his consecrated soul, and his moral integrity defeated the temptations.

Brother Peter Angelerio finally found a cave in the Scontrone area where he could enjoy solitude. There was water and firewood available, and he lived on bread and fish.  He spent his time praying and enjoying inner peace, and so manifested his love for God. He was very attached to the Sangro Valley area and in 1235 he founded the Priory of St. John Acquasanta.

After Celestino was elected pope he made a trip from Rome to Naples and stopped in the Scontrone area to visit his first hermitage and his old colleagues. He was accompanied by princes, kings, and cardinals. The people of the Sangro Valley received Celestino and his retinue with great warmth and hospitality.

While in the Sangro Valley Pope Celestino blessed the people. He always remembered his humble religious beginnings as a hermit in the mountains surrounding Scontrone which began about 59 years earlier. On the morning of October 13, 1294 before leaving for a visit to the St. Vincent of Volturno Monastery, he celebrated mass in the St. Nicholas Church in Castel di Sangro. He was warmly received by the monks of the Priory of St. John of Acquasanta, which he founded in 1274. The occasion was one of great joy and festivity.

Even today Pope Celestino’s example for transcending the world is followed with great dedication by the people in the Sangro Valley. The locals conduct meetings at the ruins of St. Peter Celestino throughout the year to discuss his life, philosophy, and religious activities; and the interest in this great spiritual leader continues to grow.