What to see and do in Villetta Barrea, the deer village in Abruzzo

What to see in Villetta Barrea? The deer village is a small town of only 600 inhabitants about 100kilometres south of L'Aquila that is really worth a visit. A walk through the historic centre will take you back in time. Here you can lose yourself in a maze of stones made up of small houses set one on top of the other, long narrow streets and stairs.

The village has a fortified appearance and was founded by a group of Benedictine monks around the year 1000. In the village there is a Castle built in the 14th century, of which only a tower remains today which houses the Parish Church Museum. In Villetta Barrea you can also visit several old churches, in particular the Church of San Rocco, which houses beautiful 18th century works, and the Studio, a one of a kinf convent-fortress.

Inside an old 15th-century mill you can visit the Water Museum, where the water cycle and wool processing are explained. Great importance is given also to the Museum of Transhumance, a true testimony of the main activity that for centuries sustained the economy of the small village.

One of the particular and unusual characteristics of Villetta Barrea is the peaceful invasion of deers, curious wild inhabitants that have been populating its historic center and surroundings for years.

These peaceful herbivorous animals come down from the mountains and stroll in relax around the alleys of the village, giving a unique experience to citizens and visitors. In fact, it is truly rare to be able to admire these fantastic animals close up in full tranquility and calm, while calmly having a walk within a historic town.

Obviously, there are places where it is possible to spot them more easily, for example in the greenest areas that arise along the Sangro River, near Lake Barrea and in the Camosciara Nature Reserve.

During your visit, you will be fascinated by the panorama with the lush nature that surrounds Villetta Barrea. In fact the deer village overlooks Lake Barrea and is crossed by the River Sangro, framed by mountains and forests.

The pedestrian walk along the Sangro River is one of the most beautiful things to do in Villetta Barrea. Along the way, you can admire beautiful views of the village and maybe even meet a deer nearby. From here, you can walk to the shores of Lake Barrea, where it is possible to bathe and in summer you will find equipped beaches.

Not to be missed also a visit to the Camosciara Nature Reserve, only 3km from the village. In this protected area which stretches over more than 130,000km, besides the possibility of spotting deer, you can also encounter chamois, wolves, bears and eagles.

Formed by a rocky limestone amphitheatre, the Camosciara is home to countless paths through waterfalls, streams and forests that will leave you speechless, perfect for mountain hikes: among the most evocative, we suggest the paths across the Ninfe and Tre Cannelle Waterfalls.

Villetta Barrea is a village in the province of L'Aquila located in the heart of the Abruzzo National Park, in the southern part of the region not far from the borders with Lazio and Molise, in an area of great tourist interest (especially for slow tourism enthusiasts) thanks to its beautiful villages and natural wonders.

To get to Villetta Barrea the only possible way is to travel on the road by car or by small bus. The famous deer village is crossed by SS83 Marsicana (which runs through the national park from north to south-east, also crossing the village of Opi) and by SR479 Sannite from the north - a road that leads to the villages of Scanno and Villalago, overlooking the splendid heart-shaped lake in Abruzzo!