Ofena is a small Abruzzese municipality in the province of L'Aquila. It is a splendid ancient village perched on a hill at the upper limit of the Tirino Valley. It originated around the year one thousand and was named Aufinum, a Vestini city later conquered by the Romans.
Known along with Capestrano as the "oven of Abruzzo," Ofena benefits from a microclimate characterized by Mediterranean temperatures, which favor high-quality viticulture, especially linked to the production of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Ofena boasts a characteristic historical center with historical and artistic elements of high cultural value. Notable landmarks in the inhabited center include the church of St. Nicholas of Bari and the Cataldi-Madonna palace, featuring a valuable stone portal. Just outside the village, you can find the 12th-century church of St. Peter in Cryptis, the Capuchin convent with the adjacent church of the Assumption, and the ancient convent of San Francesco. Worth a visit is the noble Cataldi-Madonna palace with its significant stone portal.
Especially interesting is the naturalistic part with the marvelous "Grotta delle Marmitte" (Cauldron Cave). This is a suggestive series of cylindrical natural cavities created in the rock by the whirlpools of torrential waters millions of years ago when the mountain had not yet risen to its current 750 meters. The name of the site is derived from this natural phenomenon. Previously, as still recounted by the locals today, the traditional name was the "Grotta del Romito" (Hermit's Cave).
In not too distant times, possibly during the Renaissance, the shelter was the dwelling of a hermit, as suggested by some fragments of utensils recently discovered on the site. Ofena's village event calendar is rich in religious festivities. One of the most relevant is the celebration of Sant'Antonio Abate on January 17, always of a religious theme. On May 8, there is the celebration of St. Nicholas of Bari. During the summer, for the food enthusiasts, there are appointments with enogastronomy, such as the "Sagra delle sagne" (Festival of pasta) in August.
