Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Everything at Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe is served in takeout containers.
Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe
The fried green tomato sandwich comes on jalapeño cornbread toast.
Café Reconcile
BBQ shrimp braised in beer are a popular menu item.
High Hat Cafe
The pastries at Lagniappe Bakehouse are worth waking up for.
Lagniappe Bakehouse
Peter Vazquez has been quietly making a name for himself for years.
The Appetite Repair Shop
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
15 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
16 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
17 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
18 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Pacentro Valle Giumentina

Valle Giumentina

In Majella National Park, these stone dwellings harken back to the region's pastoral history.

Pacentro, Italy

Added By
Jan Claus Di Blasio
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Valle Giumentina   Pietro Valocchi
Valle Giumentina   Pietro Valocchi
The Ecomuseum in Abbateggio   Rina Pitucci
Valle Giumentina   Pietro Valocchi
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Stone buildings and stone walls litter the dry landscape of the Valle Giumentina, an iconic region in the northern sector of Majella National Park, in the Central Italian region of Abruzzo.

The huts, known as tholos, are testaments to the agro-pastoral civilization of Abruzzo. Shepherds and farmers, along with their families would dwell inside during the summertime when they were forced to work land away from their homes.

The shelters were abandoned around the 1950s, but remain as unique examples of Italy's agricultural history, not unlike the more famous nuraghe in Sardinia and Trulli in Puglia. Families spent the summers harvesting wild fruits, raising livestock, and growing cereals in the hills and low mountains of Majella. The stone huts were sometimes more elaborate and complex, such as the two-story hut near the Ecomuseum.

The region is also one of Italy's most significant sites associated with Homo Erectus, who lived here during the Lower Paleolithic Age and left a plethora of Acheulean-era stone tools behind. Some of the findings and excavations can be seen at the Ecomuseo del Paleolitico in the village of Abbateggio.

Related Tags

History & Culture Ancient Architecture Farming

Know Before You Go

A good starting point for a hike in the area is Fonte Cugnoli in Abbateggio. The ecomuseum is normally open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the summer.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

LatiumMirabile

Published

September 1, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Valle Giumentina
Parco Nazionale della Majella
Pacentro, 65020
Italy
42.17623, 14.038274
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Eremo di San Bartolomeo in Legio (Hermitage of Saint Bartholomew in Legio)

Roccamorice, Italy

miles away

Grotta di Sant'Angelo

San Donato di Ninea, Italy

miles away

Hermitage of Saint Onuphrius

Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,054
Stories 110

Nearby Places

Eremo di San Bartolomeo in Legio (Hermitage of Saint Bartholomew in Legio)

Roccamorice, Italy

miles away

Grotta di Sant'Angelo

San Donato di Ninea, Italy

miles away

Hermitage of Saint Onuphrius

Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,054
Stories 110

Related Places

  • Ponte Nomentano

    Rome, Italy

    Ponte Nomentano

    One of Rome's most picturesque and original bridges was also a popular choice for Grand Tour artists.

  • Casa Romuli

    Rome, Italy

    Casa Romuli

    These hut foundations are believed to be the residence of Romulus, founder of Rome.

  • Nymphaeum of Egeria

    Rome, Italy

    Nymphaeum of Egeria

    Roman politician Herodes Atticus built this nymphaeum to honor his wife, whom he may have murdered.

  • Shrine of Hercules Curinus

    Sulmona, Italy

    Shrine of Hercules Curinus

    The ruins of this temple were later chosen by Pope Celestine V to found an abbey and a hermitage.

  • The Cairo Citadel, 2007.

    Cairo, Egypt

    Citadel of Saladin

    The medieval center of the Islamic world was also once the seat of Saladin's sultanate.

  • Access to the Arcazzi .

    Anagni, Italy

    Arcazzi

    Although their purpose is unknown, these ancient Roman supporting arches showcase Hellenistic ingenuity.

  • Decorative drainpipe on the former Waring home (Chippewa Square).

    Savannah, Georgia

    Dolphin Drainpipes

    These ornate, fish-shaped water spouts guard Savannah’s historic facades.

    Sponsored by Visit Savannah
  • Castillo de Gillow.

    San Lucas el Grande, Mexico

    Ex-Hacienda de Chautla

    A historic Puebla estate featuring a striking castle.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.