Cortino

It is a municipality scattered of little more than 600 inhabitants composed of many hamlets and districts whose territory unfolds from a minimum of 475 meters of altitude to a maximum of 2280, with the capital seat at 1010 meters s.l.m. The town hall is located in the hamlet of Pagliaroli.

The entire municipal territory is included in the heart of the Monti della Laga and in the upper valley of the river Tordino and is characterized by the extension and variety of woods and natural beauties. T

he economy of the Municipality for centuries has been focused on the activities of the primary sector such as breeding (in particular pigs), pastoralism and related production of excellent cheeses, mushroom picking, agriculture in particular the cultivation of spelled and mountain beans, but for some years it has been timidly started to enhance the nascent tourist activity that can count on the presence of some receptive structures that allow to reach with relative ease the ski resort of Prati di Tivo and the various paths for excursions.

The settlement dates back to Roman times, namely the III-II century BC, and the first written mention of the date in 1029 when the center was named Court.

In 1200 it was transferred in the availability of the Bishopric of Teramo, from the XVI century it was dominion of the Acquaviva di Atri dukes, while it became Commune between 1813 and 1816 following the project of reorganization of the territorial circumscriptions wanted by Napoleone.

The cuisine of the village is inevitably influenced by its geographical location and deeply intertwined with that of the entire territory of Teramo. So the cuisine is based mainly on pastoral products such as cheese, sheep and lamb meat, on agricultural products such as potatoes and beans and especially on those that spontaneously donates the lush wood, primarily chestnuts and mushrooms.

A typical dish ... and its recipe

A typical dish is undoubtedly the callara sheep, an ancient dish, born within the epic of transhumance of shepherds from Abruzzo. The recipe for six people includes two kilos of lean meat cut into touches, a celery stalk, a carrot, an onion, two cloves of garlic, a sprig of rosemary, a bay leaf, 5 juniper berries, half liter of dry white wine, a bunch of thyme, a glass of extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. First you have to fry 4 cloves of garlic until browned and then remove them. You add all the half liter of white wine, all the well-crushed flavors and water to cover well the two pounds of meat. This preparation is boiled and the meat is added. Continue to boil for about an hour and a half. Meanwhile, chop the tomatoes, add salt, pepper and chilli and put everything in the pot. Continue cooking for another hour and a half. The dish can be said to be ready when the meat is tender enough.

Website: http://www.comunedicortino.gov.it/

• Comignano
• Cortino (City)
• Faieto
• Lame
• Padula
• Pagliaroli
• Palombo
• Pezzelle

By Car

• From the North and the South: From the A14 Adriatica motorway (from the north: towards Ancona, from the south: towards Pescara), exit at Teramo / Giulianova / Mosciano Sant'Angelo, follow the SS 80 of the Gran Sasso towards Teramo, drive through Teramo and continue following signs for Cortino.
• From L'Aquila Take the A 24 L'Aquila-Teramo motorway, exit at San Gabriele / Colledara. Follow Montorio al Vomano direction, go through Ornano Grande, Montorio al Vomano and continue following signs for Cortino.
• From Pescara Take the SS 16 in the direction of Chieti, continue on the A 14 motorway North (Ancona), exit at Teramo / Giulianova / Mosciano Sant'Angelo. Take the SS 80 of the Gran Sasso towards Teramo, drive through Teramo and follow signs for Cortino.
• From Chieti Take the SS 81, take the A 14 motorway towards Ancona, exit at Teramo / Giulianova / Mosciano Sant'Angelo. Take the Gran Sasso state road towards Teramo, drive through Teramo and follow signs for Cortino.

By train

From both the south and the north on the Adriatic line, the marshalling station is Giulianova. From here take the regional train to Teramo. Arrived here continue to Cortino by bus to take to Piazza Garibaldi or Piazzale San Francesco (about an hour's journey).