San Benedetto in Perillis, unlike many other towns in the Abruzzo Apennines, is a place you don't pass through by chance. You don't spot it from afar, it doesn't overlook major thoroughfares. The only vantage point from which it's possible to see it from above is Monte Corvo, above Popoli Terme. For the rest, San Benedetto remains hidden, protected, almost jealous of its position among the mountains.
Strolling through the alleyways of San Benedetto in Perillis
The village is reached after the turns that follow Popoli, arriving from the Peligna Valley or the lower Pescara Valley, or by travelling to the end of the Navelli plateau if coming from L'Aquila. And it is precisely this secluded location that gives it a mysterious charm, capable of surprising and leaving speechless anyone who decides to seek it out.
Surrounded by woods, hills and ancient sheep tracks, San Benedetto in Perillis is a place suspended in time, intimate and deeply linked to its history. Today it counts just fifty to sixty inhabitants: a small but resilient community, where a grocery shop and a bar overlooking the main square have survived. The bar is run by a young couple who have bravely and dedicatedly chosen to invest in the village's future.
The centre is fascinating even on the surface, but it is beneath the surface that San Benedetto reveals its most surprising soul. The town, in fact, is literally carved into the rock: a true “double town”. The complex of underground caves constitutes a historical and architectural heritage unique in its kind, capable of transforming the visit into an timeless experience.
Until a few decades ago, during the winter months, the entire community lived in these caves. Daily life took place here: women spun wool, men worked in artisan activities, public assemblies were held, and letters from the front were read. Animals also found shelter in the underground spaces, helping to make them warmer and more habitable. An underground microcosm that tells of an extraordinary capacity for adaptation and community living.
The caves are one of the main reasons to visit San Benedetto, but not the only one. The town is internationally known for housing what is considered the oldest lock in the world, the “mother” of modern locks. It is a wooden lock, identical to those used in 3rd millennium BC Egypt, based on a bolt system locked by wooden pins, in the local dialect the feminine. A technical principle that, over the centuries, would give rise to modern cylinder locks.
This extraordinary legacy could date back to the cultural influence of the Benedictine monks of the ancient monastery of San Benedetto, a powerful religious centre in the medieval period. Reproductions of the lock can be seen on many of the village's doorways, but for those who truly wish to delve into the history, just ask for Giovanni Gualtieri, the keeper of the village's memory, who will be happy to recount, with passion and expertise, the stories of San Benedetto, its caves and its unique locks.
The country can be visited in a few hours, but the cultural offering is constantly growing. In September 2025, the completely restored monastery of San Benedetto was returned to the community, adding another piece to the already rich identity of the place.
San Benedetto in Perillis is a village that must be discovered: for its history, its peculiarities, and the evocative views that open onto the valleys below. From an elegant B&B, currently the only one in the village, you can enjoy an aperitif with a view of the Valle Peligna. A suspended moment, romantic and silent, which makes it clear, once again, why this hidden place manages to leave a deep impression on those who visit it.
Beneath the town of San Benedetto in Perillis is a complex system of underground caves carved into the rock. These underground rooms have been used for centuries as dwellings and community living spaces. During the coldest winters, the population moved into the caves together with the animals, which contributed to the...
View moreThe Abbey of San Benedetto is the main historical building in the town and one of the most significant monuments in the area. The current building dates back to the 11th century and is one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in Abruzzo. The stone façade and the elegant portal tell of the long religious tradition of the place. The interior...
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From the heart of Navelli, take a cart track that crosses the plateau to Collepietro, a symbolic gateway between Gran Sasso and Maiella. It then descends towards San Benedetto in Perillis.
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A large cycling tourism loop of over 140 km through 15 villages. Cycling through the plateaus, valleys and villages of the Abruzzo Apennines allows you to observe the territory with an attentive look at the people who inhabit it. Along the route you meet local realities and inhabitants who share experiences and stories. The...
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