Sante Marie is a small mountain village in the western Marsica, in the province of L’Aquila, close to the border between Abruzzo and Lazio. With its hamlets, such as Scanzano, it is surrounded by woods, pastures and hills, far from busy roads.
Why visit Sante Marie
For nature, walking and quiet. Sante Marie is ideal for anyone looking for a slow stay in the Apennines, with farm produce, silent nights and the medieval town of Tagliacozzo just a few minutes away.
Top things to do around Sante Marie
The Cammino dei Briganti
Sante Marie is the start and finish of the Cammino dei Briganti, a walking route of about 100 km through villages and mountains once crossed by 19th-century brigands.
Woods and meadows
Short walks and longer hikes through beech and oak woods, with views over the hills of the Marsica and Lazio.
Tagliacozzo
About 10 km away, a beautiful medieval town with an elegant square, a ducal palace and summer events.
Avezzano and Alba Fucens
The main town of the Marsica and the Roman ruins of Alba Fucens are about half an hour away.
The lakes of Lazio
Lake Salto and Lake Turano, with their hill villages, are within a short drive across the regional border.
Best time to visit Sante Marie
May to October is ideal for walking and outdoor life. Autumn brings beautiful colours; winters are cold, sometimes snowy.
Getting to and around Sante Marie
Rome is about an hour and a quarter away via the A24 motorway (Tagliacozzo exit). A car is essential for the hamlets and the countryside.
What to eat in Sante Marie
Mountain cooking of the Marsica: lamb and arrosticini, legumes, mushrooms and truffles in season, pecorino and other farm cheeses.
Sante Marie FAQ
How far is Sante Marie from Rome?
About 1 hour 15 minutes by car.
Is Sante Marie good for walkers?
Yes: it is the base of the Cammino dei Briganti and has many trails nearby.
