Despite its almost total destruction due to the terrible earthquake of August 24, 2016, Amatrice is still today a genuine welcoming place for tourists interested in gorgeous nature and gastronomic traditions.
With its pristine, snowy mountains, trees in bloom, green meadows and the golden colours of autumn, Amatrice is, since 2015, still registered in the list of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”.
The landscape of Amatrice
The Conca Amatriciana, a basin in the heart of the “Parco Nazionale Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga”, hosts centuries-old trees, free grazing animals, streams and clear waterfalls, which turn, in winter, into magical, sparkling sculptures. The territory, perfect for slow-tourism, is also a paradise for lovers of trekking and active holidays. Several routes of various level are available for children, adults and experts.
Lago di Scandarello
Among the most interesting tracks, we find the “Sentiero Italia”, which covers the entire backbone of our peninsula, and the “Cammino dei Parchi”, which stretches from L’Aquila to Rome throughout protected natural areas. As an alternative, you can take an easier route which leads to the nearby Lago di Scandarello, where, during summer nights, it is possible to contemplate the sky free of light pollution and, with a bit of luck, to spot a shooting star.
Pasta all’Amatriciana
Amatrice boasts an ancient gastronomic tradition based on local products. The most famous dish is undoubtedly the Spaghetti or Mezzemaniche all’Amatriciana, once garnished only with pork jaw bacon and pecorino cheese, as tomato was added later, in 1700. This recipe achieved fame throughout the world, so much that a survey carried out in 2024 by the “Unione Italiana Food and International Pasta Organisation” includes Pasta all’Amatriciana among the Italian dishes preferred by foreign tourists.
The “Polo del Gusto” in Amatrice
The “Polo del Gusto e della Tradizione” is a public space designed by the architect Boeri, which hosts all local restaurants. The project, born immediately after the 2016 earthquake, helped the inhabitants of Amatrice to safeguard the economy of the territory through its most important activities.
Loom weaving workshop in the “Casa delle Donne di Amatrice e Frazioni”
At the same time, in the nearby hamlet of Torrita, the “Casa delle Donne di Amatrice e Frazioni” was founded, a pleasant space immersed in nature, where workshops are organised by local women, who, combining passion and knowledge, spread their culture teaching the art of ceramics, loom weaving, cooking and much more.
The artistic heritage of the Amatrice territory is vast and varied. Its cultural roots are now partly preserved in the new Civic Museum of Amatrice by the Town Hall, which displays over fifty restored works of art.
Big Bench n. 246 in Amatrice
The bright white and magenta Big Bench 246, nestled among apple and cherry orchards at an altitude of 1000 metres, offers a 360° view of the village and the surrounding landscape. From here, you can also comfortably admire the Monti della Laga and the Conca Amatriciana. The Bench is reachable from the parking lot through a short, easy path along the apple orchard.
Interesting events attract many visitors to Amatrice all around the year: the traditional “Sagra degli Spaghetti all’Amatriciana” on the last weekend of August, the “Festa dell’Autunno” and the “Rievocazione del Pane dei Santi” on All Saints’ Day, the “Festa della Primavera”, with a flower and craft market, and the gnocchi ricci cooking workshop.