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Pennapiedimonte is a village located at the foot of the Maiella Mountain at 669 meters above sea level. From the slope where it was built there is a wonderful view on one side of the "Tre Grotte (Three caves)" Valley towards some of the highest peaks of the mountain (2500-2700) , and on the other side on the whole landscape out to the sea.
Ettore Moschino, a famous poet, born in L’Aquila at the beginning of the century, defined the village as "the balcony of Abruzzo".
It is one of the smallest villages of the province of Chieti in terms of population (616 people on 31/12/1996), but it is one of the biggest in terms of extension of the territory which is around 43 hectares. It begins at 255 meters in the Laio area and reaches 2676 meters on the Focalone Mountain. The whole of this area is included in the recently founded "Maiella Parc".
One of the main characteristics of the architecture of the village is the use of the stones. The houses have been built with them and the stone has also been finely worked to adorn windows, doors and balconies. Sculptures of fruit, animals, faces of children and women can be found in the oldest parts of the village.
Another feature is the stairs, that are the only "way of communication" in most of the of the village. As the houses have been built on a slope, if you go and visit them you will be surprised to enter at ground level and then step out onto a balcony only to find yourself, for example, at the fourth floor, when you have not climbed any stairs at all.
The population has paid a high price to emigration during the last century, and especially after the Second World War. Because of the harshness of life on the mountains, many have chosen to go abroad, to the United States, Canada, Brasil, Argentina, Australia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium. Some others have decided to move to the North of Italy or to the Rome area. During the summer when some of those families come back to spend their holidays here, the population doubles or even triples.
The Church of Saints Silvestro and Rocco was built during the 17th century in Baroque style. With its white and mediterranean look it makes a striking contrast to the grey, which is the colour of the stones of the village. Inside it you can find some of the masterpieces made of local stones. The altar and the holy-water fonts have been made by the most skilful native stonecutters.
"Strong and kind" (Forte e gentile) is the well-known definition of people from the Abruzzo region, and it is more than appropriate for our people. They are always open to others and have the will and the stamina of their ancestors in their blood, which has enabled them to create and build their village and strong sense of community in a very "harsh" environment.
Our aim nowadays is to preserve all the these values and transmit them to our children and future generations.

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