{"id":6274,"date":"2015-06-14T11:06:08","date_gmt":"2015-06-14T09:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/?p=6274"},"modified":"2015-06-16T21:10:27","modified_gmt":"2015-06-16T19:10:27","slug":"majella","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/2015\/06\/majella\/","title":{"rendered":"National Park La Majella: a refugee for hermits, wolf and deer"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Italian region of Abruzzo<\/strong> is not as trendy a destination as Tuscany and Chiantishire or the Amalfi Coast with its jetsetters.
\nFound in the central part of the peninusula, Abruzzo seldom makes it into the news.
\nThe last we heard of it was back in 2009, when an earthquake destroyed the historical centre of L\u2019Aquila and its surroundings.
\nYet the savvy visitors know that this region offers a combination of exciting experiences and it casts an enticing spell, making you want to go back for more.<\/p>\n

Spiritual hermits<\/h2>\n

Important figures have fallen prey to its charms since the Middle Ages; the rough and steep rocky mountains of the La Majella mountain became home to many hermits seeking protection from the world\u2019s troubles<\/strong>.
\nThe most well-known hermit was probably Pietro Angelenio, also known as Pietro da Morrone<\/strong>, as he spent a long time in a cave on the mountain of the same name.
\nPietro founded the Celestin Order and was even appointed Pope at the end of the 13th Century.
\nIn fact, he became famous as the first Pope to resign after just five months in office.
\nThe Italian poet Dante placed him in the \u201cSlothful circle\u201d- a group of cowards- because of his refusal to carry out his duties and his name came up again recently when Pope Benedict XVI resigned.
\nPietro was not the only one to choose La Majella as his refuge though: Pope Vittore III <\/strong>and the medieval politician Cola Da Rienzo <\/strong>were both frequent visitors to these mountains and spent many months in the local hermitages.
\nMost of these spiritual places have since been abandoned but a few have resisted the passage of time.
\nThose which did have become a haven for spiritual tourism whose fans are willing to travel far and wide to catch a glimpse of the past.<\/p>\n\n\t\t