The birth of Camerata (Vecchia) is around 900-960 AD Built on top of a rocky promontory (1250 m asl), the castle of Camerata was surrounded by imposing walls, until 1859, when the town was destroyed by a violent fire, to be rebuilt with the name of Camerata Nuova.
Its territory is included in the Simbruini Mountains Natural Park: between the Valle di Fioio, the Monte Autore and the Fondo della Femminmina Morta there is the possibility of walking many paths on foot and on horseback, and practicing cross-country skiing near the large karstic plan of Camposecco.
A pilgrimage destination is the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie and in the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta there is a wooden statue of the Madonna saved by the fire in Camerata Vecchia.
Camerata Nuova is also famous for its “arcari”, master craftsmen of wood dedicated to the construction of the arche, characteristic chests of beech wood.
From the village, you can visit the ruins of Camerata Vecchia, which stand on a limestone cliff at the eastern end of a long ridge whose summit coincides with Monte Camposecco.
Visiting these places, you will be fascinated by the sight of the ancient walls, but at the same time you may feel a sense of loss knowing that only a century and a half ago, people, artisans, farmers, and shepherds lived here, forced to abandon their homeland to start over.
