Campotosto is a village of about 500 inhabitants located in the province of L’Aquila. Situated at an altitude of 1,420 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest inhabited centres in the Apennines.
The village was first mentioned in the 13th century as part of the county of Amatrice, but it was the subject of disputes until it was ceded to the Orsini family in the 16th century, becoming part of the Giustizierato di Abruzzo Ultra, with L’Aquila as its capital. In 1703, it was severely damaged by an earthquake but was rebuilt and became an autonomous municipality in the 19th century. The construction of dams and the formation of the lake represented a radical change in the appearance of the area but also allowed the population to open up to tourism and fishing. Traditions linked to livestock farming, especially sheep and pigs, remain strong, and the locally produced mature cheeses are famous, as is the tradition of Mortadella di Campotosto, which dates back to the Middle Ages.
In addition to its wild landscapes, unspoilt nature and gastronomic riches, Campotosto is also home to the art of weaving, handed down by the elderly women of the area and studied in depth through careful historical research. Today, this art is practised in a workshop that reproduces with precision the various elements of the traditional costumes of the villages in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.
