Discover Sperone

Get to know Sperone through its religious buildings, customs, and the landscape around Selva Paradina. The Fontana di Sperone lies south of the built-up area; several traditions are associated with Sant'Elia and the Cappella Maria Santissima Assunta in cielo. If you are looking for hotels in Sperone, you can consider whether local history, a particular tradition, or the landscape is of greatest interest for your stay. The following sections distinguish between these themes and describe the places associated with each.

Landscape and places in Sperone

The Fontana di Sperone is in the Selva Paradina locality, south of the built-up area, on a plateau surrounded by the Selva Paradina forest. Its location gives the fountain a clear connection to its surroundings: it is not in the built-up area, but to the south of it. Parco della Selva Paradina has green spaces and picnic areas that are very popular in summer. This brings different aspects of the surroundings into focus: the fountain's precise location on the plateau and the park areas that are especially busy in season.

Churches, chapels, and local history

The Chiesa della SS. Annunziata di Sperone was built in 1727 along the route around which the present-day town developed. Its construction date and location together tell a story about the town: the church was built along a route that was formative in Sperone's development. It is therefore a good starting point if you are interested in the connection between religious buildings and settlement history.

The Chiesa di Sant'Elia Profeta is also connected with an older place of worship. It provides access to an ancient chapel where a valuable 16th-century fresco has been preserved. The church and chapel thus bring together different historical periods: the fresco dates to the 16th century, while the Chiesa della SS. Annunziata dates to 1727.

Next to the Fontana di Sperone stands the Cappella Maria Santissima Assunta in cielo, built in the 1950s. Inside is a statue of the Madonna with her hands open rather than folded in prayer. This striking feature distinguishes the depiction through the position of the hands. The chapel thus connects a clearly identifiable place near the fountain with a distinctive image.

Religious traditions and local cuisine

The Festa del Majo is a traditional religious event held in February in honor of the patron saint, Sant'Elia. The custom includes felling the largest tree in the Sperone area. A procession then winds through the town's streets until the trunk is erected in Piazzale Sant'Elia. The religious dedication and the tree ritual are part of the same festival.

According to local tradition, another procession is part of Sperone's “martedì di Pasquetta.” It follows a long route from the Chiesa di Sant'Elia Profeta to the Cappella della Santissima Assunta. According to local tradition, a holy mass is also celebrated at the Cappella Maria Santissima Assunta in cielo every year on August 15. The procession and the mass are separate occasions, both associated with the chapel.

The traditional lunch in honor of Saint Elia includes the typical “braciola c’o fierr filato.” This culinary custom is a distinct part of local tradition, adding a connection to Sperone's food culture alongside its religious sites and processions.

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