Description

Surrounded by the natural park of Sirente Velino, Cerchio is a town located on top of the Mount Corbarolo. The first settlements in Cerchio appeared in 51 b.C., when the Romans built a theatre to celebrate the emperor Claudius.

Around the 16^th century, Cerchio was ruled first by the Colonna family and later by the Piccolomini family, that in the end handed it to Camilla Peretti.

The Fucino lake has always played an important role in the life of the town and, after the draining, the local economy was mainly based on agriculture.

The town suffered several damages after the 1915 earthquake and then, right after WWII, a strong emigration cut the population in half. Today, Cerchio relies mostly on its history and the local beauties. Here you can visit the church of Madonna delle Grazie and the church of San Bartolomeo, where you can find some artifacts from the 12^th and the 16^th century.

Particularly interesting is the civic museum of the town, located inside the former convent of the discalced Augustinians, where you can find some artifacts that once belonged to local farmers.

At the end of August, be sure not to miss the “Bulla Indulgentiarum”, a costume parade that attracts thousands of people.