Overview
On a ridge of the western slope of the Maiella, at an altitude of 650 metres, you enter the fortified village, which houses religious monuments such as the Romanesque Church of San Tommaso Apostolo and the Gothic church of Santa Maria Maggiore (with its ornate doorway), as well as elegant residences, carved gateways, fountains, flower-decked balconies and garden spaces. From the village, descending towards the valley, there are other smaller but nonetheless impressive churches such as San Domenico, with a pointed-arch doorway in its façade, and San Nicola, with a majestic entrance featuring two rows of columns with botanical motifs. Just beyond the Church of San Nicola, you come to the Fountain of San Leonardo, with three beautiful 18th-century mascarons.
Since the 16th century, Caramanico has also been a spa town renowned for its sulphurous waters, rich in bromine and iodine salts. A thermal spa has been in operation since the early 20th century and has been very popular with tourists since the 1960s. Not far from the spa is the State Forestry Corps visitor centre, which provides information on the Valle dell'Orfento Nature Reserve and the Maiella Park.
