A town in the province of L'Aquila, situated on the slopes of Mount Calvario, Pescocostanzo dominates the plateau overlooking the Quarto Grande. Although the name is mentioned for the first time in a document of the XI century, the discovery of graves dating from the III century A.D. evidence that the town was founded by the Romans. Between X and XI century the presence of a small fortified village is witnessed, around which, in later centuries, developed several houses. Partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1456 and thanks to the government of Vittoria Colonna, the town was rebuilt and enriched with several valuable artworks that feature a perfect mixture of Baroque and Renaissance styles.
Among the monuments that adorn Pescocostanzo, not to miss:
- the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria del Colle (XIV-XV century), with a magnificent gilded and painted coffered ceiling, which covers all the central nave, a baptistery and a polychrome marble statue of the XIII century;
- the Church of Jesus and Mary, founded in 1611, enriched with precious marble and stucco decorations, It features a high altar designed by Cosimo Fanzago;
- the Church of Santa Maria del Suffrage of the Dead, which features a XVII century portal and a precious coffered ceiling;
- the former Monastery of St. Scolastica (1624), the façade was designed by Cosimo Fanzago;
- the XIII century Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, which stands on a rocky outcrop where the village originally was built;
- the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, built prior to 1508;
- the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, built in 1645;
- the Governor's Palace;
- the Maggiore fountain of the XV century;
- the Town Hall with its Bell tower;
- the many palaces, mainly in Baroque style, with rich portals and wrought iron balconies, such as Palazzo Sabatini, Palazzo Coccopalmeri (XVII century), Palazzo Colecchi (1771), Palazzo Grilli (XVI century), Palazzo Mansi (XVI century) , Palazzo Cocco, Palazzo De Capite (1850), Palazzo Ricciardelli (XVI century), Palazzo Mosca (1564), Casa Rainaldi.