Palazzo San Benedetto
San Benedetto in Perillis, (AQ), Abruzzo
Palazzo San Benedetto
A unique medieval fortified building with 11th Century Dove/Watch Tower, currently being renovated to provide holiday apartments/casa vacanze. Located in the historic centre of the beautiful ancient hilltop village of San Benedetto in Perillis, and in the centre of Abruzzo, our palazzo will be the perfect destination for you to easily explore all that the fantastic diverse region of Abruzzo has to offer including 3 national parks, 1 regional park, Apennine mountains, rolling hills, rivers, lakes, Adriatic coastline, traditional gastronomy, delicious wines, rare flora and fauna just to mention but a few things. For more info on Abruzzo and also the English speaking small group tours we run check out www.exploringabruzzo.com
Please do join us on our long rollercoaster ride of a journey to renovate Palazzo San Benedetto, a Cultural Heritage monument (equivalent to a UK Grade 1 listed building) by following, liking and subscribing to our social media channels. Your support keeps us motivated, particularly with all the struggles we have already experienced, and are still undoubtedly yet to encounter due to the huge amount of bureaucracy and legislations in place here.
We very much look forward to completing our project and being able to welcome you to Palazzo San Benedetto.
Who we are
We moved to Abruzzo in 2018 and before that we lived in Brighton in the UK. We were first charmed by the magical region of Abruzzo in 2005 when, before children we came to ski at Roccaraso for one week and then spent another week exploring.
Andrew Miles worked as a fashion and advertising photographer before becoming an adventure film cameraman and producer.
Katja von Schweitzer worked in marketing for over 20 years both agency and client side managing a diverse range of global accounts.
Both our teenagers, Safina and Rocco are at school in Popoli and are fluent in Italian. They embrace the way of life here with the fantastic amount of freedom it brings for the youth.
We enjoy life in Abruzzo immensely making use at every opportunity of the many outdoor activities, from sea swimming, windsurfing, paddle boarding, hiking, climbing to snow shoeing and skiing.
Phase 1 - Seismic Structural Restoration
San Benedetto in Perillis
A charming ancient hilltop village
With its origins dating back to the VIII century, you will find one of Abruzzo's oldest abbeys here as well as ancient stone houses, some of which still have the wooden locks that San Benedetto in Perillis is famous for. Wander round the streets, take a tour of the vast cave network that runs below the historic centre, immerse yourself in nature and, being up at 850m above sea level, soak up the stunning and far-reaching views across the Peligna Valley.
About Abruzzo
Abruzzo is a 'feast for the senses'; it is a stunning, wild and mountainous area in central Italy, with the Apennine mountain range running through it from north to south, and over to the east more than 100km of Adriatic coastline offering stunning beaches. Known as the 'greenest region' of Italy it is also one of the least populated regions in the country and offers an abundance of beauty.
This region is an area of outstanding natural beauty, a place to be close to nature, and a place to explore without any crowds. Abruzzo’s varied landscape hosts a myriad of medieval hilltop villages, towns that date back to Roman times and ancient castles. In the spring Abruzzo's high meadows are covered with wild flowers, and the air is filled with the scent of curry plants and wild thyme.
In the Autumn the trees turn red and golden, and the air is full of the smell of oak smoke coming from the fireplaces. If you are amongst the lucky ones you will hear wolves howling at night time.
Flora & Fauna
Abruzzo is home to no less than three National Parks as well as a Regional Park, added together they make the largest area of protected wilderness anywhere in Europe. The region is home to a highly diversified ecosystem, which hosts over 75% of animal species currently living in Europe! Amongst these are the Apennine wolf, the Marsican bear, red dear, roe dear, golden eagle and the Abruzzo chamois.
The beech tree, gentians, wild orchids, orange lilies and peonies just to name a few are amongst the stunning flora of the Abruzzo region. On the Campo Imperatore you will find beautiful displays of rare and endangered plant species.
People and Culture
The Abruzzese people have kept their artisan skills and traditions alive, they are known as being strong and gentle, "forte e gentile". They are amongst the most friendly and hospitable people you will ever meet and are generous to a fault.
In the rural towns and villages life has changed little. Shops close in the middle of the day when the restaurants open, people grow their own food and make their own wine and olive oil, they go to church and the shepherds still tend their flocks in the traditional way.
Food & Wine
The Guardian newspaper weren't wrong when they wrote an article about Abruzzo saying, "it had the best food in all of Italy". Abruzzo is famous for its saffron from L'Aquila, its lentils from Santo Stefano, sugared almonds known as 'confetti' from Sulmona, pecorino cheese, 'De Cecco' pasta and of course its wines which include the now world-famous Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine. The dishes in Abruzzo are hearty and rustic, you can expect polenta, wild boar, pasta alla chitarra, arrosticini, pallote cacio e uova, delicious seafood if you're near the coast, and the most delicious greens from spinach, cavolo nero to artichokes and chicory. Oh, and don't forget all the delicious pastries and gelato!
From the Apennines to the Adriatic Coast this region has so much to offer. Come and visit Abruzzo and explore with us: www.exploringabruzzo.com
