Santuario di Ercole Curino
Archaeological park of an important Italic-Roman sanctuary on artificial terraces at the foot of the Morrone, with a mosaic sacellum; currently closed to the public.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The archaeological park of the sanctuary of Ercole Curino was established in the 1970s and is one of the most important sacred areas in Abruzzo. The sanctuary was frequented from the Hellenistic period (4th–3rd century BC) until the mid-2nd century AD, and was built on artificial terraces: first a temple on a high podium, then a sacellum and a monumental staircase.
A general reorganisation at the beginning of the 1st century BC added a lower terrace supported by a large wall, with vaulted rooms beneath the piazza. A landslide later buried the buildings and the sanctuary was abandoned; Christian use continued with a small church on the edge of the area, enlarged in the 13th century by Celestine V.
Among the visible remains stands out the sacellum, with a polychrome mosaic floor of Hellenistic taste and wall decoration imitating marble slabs; from the intermediate terrace there is a view over the Conca Peligna. The bronze statuette of Hercules at rest, a precious votive offering, is kept in the Museo archeologico nazionale d'Abruzzo in Chieti.
Highlights
- Sacellum with a polychrome mosaic floor
- Monumental staircase between the terraces
- Remains of the temple on a high podium
- View over the Conca Peligna
- Small church on the edge of the sanctuary, enlarged by Celestine V in the 13th century
- Operated by
- Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le province di L'Aquila e Teramo
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,543
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
A car park is located in the upper part of the site; a path descends from here to the entrance on the north side, while an older entrance is on the south side.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The Ministry of Culture lists guided tours among the site's services. |
