The Cinque Miglia Plateau is also known as the Major Plateau. It is located at an altitude of about 1,250 meters a.s.l. and extends between the municipal areas of Rocca Pia, Rivisondoli and Roccaraso in Abruzzo.
With its approximately 9 km in length and 1 km in width, it is the largest of the group of Major Plateaus, hence the name of Altopiano Maggiore and connects the valley of the Gizio river (tributary of the Pescara) and the Valle Peligna to the north with that of the Raso stream (tributary of the Sangro) and the Alto Sangro to the south and dominated by some peaks of the Marsicani Mountains (Monte Genzana, Monte Rotella and Monte Pratello).
A few trivia before leaving you to watch the video below. It is remembered that the stagecoaches crossed it at full speed for fear of assaults and several times, during the winter season, the travelers got stuck in the snow. This happened in 1528 when 300 mercenaries hired by Venice to fight against Charles V perished and in the following winter when 500 Germans belonging to the Prince of Orange lost their lives.
History tells us that in 1860 the royal delegation with King Vittorio Emanuele II also passed through here before meeting Garibaldi at Teano and returning to Naples, after the annexation of the Marches and Abruzzo to Italy.
Photo by Alfonso Matarazzo.
Discussion about this post