Streets in cities serve for the passage of people, but this isn't always the case, especially in this village in Abruzzo which is home to the narrowest street in Italy. Let's find out more.
The Ruetta d'Italia in Civitella del Tronto: what is its history?
What is considered by many to be the narrowest street in Italy is located in Civitella del Tronto, in Abruzzo. Its width is only 40 centimetres, making it more of an opening in the wall than an actual street. To understand the reason for this construction oddity, one has to go back to medieval times.
At the time, it was very important to defend the city and its strategic points. Therefore, secret passages or impassable routes were created for large numbers of armed soldiers. The Ruetta, whose name derives from 'ruga', an ancient name for a street in the centre, took on this function: it could not be traversed by the enemy, but was ideal for surprising them from behind. The real peculiarity, therefore, is that it was decided that this small road would maintained to this day, rightly becoming a tourist attraction.
The other narrowest streets in Italy
In addition to the Ruetta d'Italia in Civitella del Tronto, there are other streets that claim the title of Italy's narrowest street. These streets are often hidden in the historical centres of ancient villages, where the need for defence and the limited availability of space have led to the construction of narrow, labyrinthine passages.
In Molise, for example, there is the "rejicelle", a narrow street in Termoli, a town overlooking the sea. In this case, the width is 41 centimetres. Apulia too, with Andria, has its own narrow street, the alley of San Bartolomeo. Equally curious to see is the alley of Ripatransone, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, which measures 43 centimetres.
What to see in Civitella del Tronto
Civitella del Tronto, with its famous Ruetta, offers visitors many other things to do as well. This medieval village is a hidden treasure that deserves to be discovered in every corner. In particular, don't miss:
- The Fortress of Civitella del Tronto: one of the largest and best preserved in the area. It measures 25,000 m2 and is fully open to visitors today.
- The historic centre: a maze of alleys and squares that include Porta Napoli and Piazza Filippi Pepe.
- The Church of San Francesco: an example of religious architecture dating back to around the 13th century.
- Museums: including the NINA Museum, where objects belonging to the local nobility are exhibited.
Typical dishes in Civitella del Tronto
The cuisine of Civitella del Tronto will allow you to taste some traditional Abruzzo dishes. One of the typical dishes is "la famosa virtù", a rich and substantial soup that combines legumes, vegetables and various types of pasta, typically prepared on May 1st. Another unmissable dish is lamb, while porcini mushrooms and truffles are also the protagonists of numerous dishes, such as risottos. Furthermore, you will be able to find typical dishes of the region such as, for example, "pasta alla guitar".
How to get to Civitella del Tronto
Civitella del Tronto is a town located between Abruzzo and Marche, not far from the coast, although located inland.
- By car: Civitella del Tronto is easily accessible via the A14 motorway (Teramo exit) or the A24 motorway.
- By bus: Various regional bus lines connect some surrounding towns to Civitella del Tronto, guaranteeing daily services.
- By train: The closest railway stations are those of Teramo or Ascoli Piceno, from which you can continue by car or bus.
Living in Civitella del Tronto
Civitella del Tronto is a town in a strategic position, but also a place full of things to see and do. This makes it the perfect place to decide to move to or spend your holidays. With idealista you can find out all the information about the area and choose the house that best suits your needs:
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