Oppidum di Rocca Vecchia

High on the mountain that overlooks the medieval village of Pescina, the Oppidum di Rocca Vecchia is one of the most important fortified centres of the ancient Marsica region. Its interior covers a generous 18 hectares, and the presence of numerous terraces and scattered pottery fragments suggests this was no mere stronghold, but a settled community. The defensive wall, over two kilometres in circumference, was built in the polygonal style typical of early Italic fortifications. It is now in poor condition, except on the north and north-west sides, where a few blocks still emerge from the earth. The north-east side shows up to two courses of blocks; here, the remains of a gateway can be seen, though its original width is lost to silt. On the east side, a monumental collapse testifies to the wall’s former scale, while traces of a rock-cut ditch are visible outside the circuit.

Description via source. Coordinates and heritage data from the Atika atlas.