Spoltore, the small village on the hill

Spoltore is a small town so close to Pescara, founded in the Middle Ages, owes its name to the word spelt (spelt in German). Reaching Spoltore you are welcomed by the sixteenth-century De Sterlich watchtower that dominates the rural landscape. The historical centre of Spoltore, with its medieval layout, is of great interest. Piazza D'Albenzio is surrounded by important historical buildings: the seven shops which, between the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern era, formed the vital core of the town's trade, the church of S. Maria della Piazza (12th century).), today Società Operaia; the Castiglioni palace, today De Cesaris, and behind it the Toppi palace, known as the Old Town Hall; Pardi palace, today Rosati and others; on the left side of the square the feudal palace, deeply renovated in the living part in the nineteenth century, which in the basement and under the whole square preserves the cistern for water, the snow tank, the grain pits and large fondaci.