Get ready to live a magical experience that will make you feel like a child again!
Smell the scent of freshly baked sweets, elves, reindeers, decorated fir trees, lights, Christmas balls, wooden houses, but above all… ‘Babbo Natale’ or better known as Santa Claus!
We are talking about the village of Santa Claus of Ronzano within the Teramo province in Abruzzo. Santa’s village entirely built of tiny curated wooden houses, which offer a series of interactive experiences for children. Including, wrapping gifts with elves, and sweet reindeer just waiting for you to pamper them. On top of that, children will be able to give their written Christmas letters to Santa directly.
Food & Souvenir area
Besides these excellent experiences, the locals ensure also that your belly gets full. You can visit the food area, where you find typical local products, hot drinks, and many other delicacies!
The district of Castel Castagna is very famous for its dried meat products such as prosciutto & salame.
Church of Santa Maria di Ronzano
There are interesting things for the older ones as well. Please, don’t miss to visit the outstanding Chiesa of Santa Maria di Ronzano, one of the most beautiful Romanic churches of Abruzzo erected in 1170 and built with local white stones and hand-painted with incredible frescoes.
Not enough? Take a virtual tour!
About the location
Ronzano is within the district of Castel Castagna, Teramo province in the region of Abruzzo.
A fantastic experience for the littles ones, within the beautiful cornice of the Gran Sasso Mountain range?
Six towns you should not miss nearby Ronzano
1. Campli & the Holy Stair
Recently awarded as ‘one of the most beautiful hamlets of Italy’. Located among the mountains of the “Gran Sasso & Monti dell Laga” National Park and the Adriatic coast in Abruzzo. Also, holding one of the 3 Holy Stairs in the world.
2. Civitella del Tronto
Civitella del Tronto, the largest fortress in Abruzzo
This town is one of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy. Civitella del Tronto secretly holds the narrowest street of Italy and its fortress is also famous. It was built by the Spanish and now holding the primate to be the second-largest fortress in Europe.
3. Teramo
Once an ancient Roman city, it still holds its ancient Romani ruins, architectural and artistic treasures. Have a look at my blog post on Teramo to discover more.
4. Castelli
Ceramics Maiolica, Abruzzo Castelli
Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Louvre in Paris, and other international museums collect the Castelli Majolica Ceramics, which is one of Italy’s most important ceramic traditions. You can visit the workshops of some of the fifty Artigiani, as well as the ceramic museum and the stunning ‘Sistine Chapel’ of Castelli, which is a whole church covered by hand-made ceramic tiles from the 15th & 16th century.
5. Isola del Gran Sasso
Situated in the heart of a spacious and suggestive valley, called ‘Valle Siciliana’, among green hills and fields, arises the ancient village of “Isola del Gran Sasso”, still in reconstruction after the last earthquake of 2016.
6. Basciano
I recommend visiting Basciano during the second week of August: for the ancient festival ‘Sagra del Prosciutto Abruzzese’ and the ‘ddù botte’ Festival, a competition among the players of this local instruments.
Want to visit the church?
The official contacts of the Santa Maria di Ronzano’s church; +39 0861 697250
Not everyone speaks English, but you can try.
Instead, if you are looking to organize a trip to Abruzzo, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me.
With Amore From
Marino Cardelli
