Not far from Sulmona (AQ) at the foot of Monte Morrone, just below the hermitage of Pope Celestine V, is the large sanctuary dedicated to Hercules Curinus. It is a confederate sanctuary that was referenced by all the settlements in the area (Italic phase 4th-3rd century BC) and monumentalized after the Social War. The monument consists of two terraces from different periods.
A double-flight staircase allows access to the upper terrace, the oldest, at the center of which is the small shrine that preserves part of the rich wall decoration. The floor is covered by a polychrome mosaic.
On the second flight are preserved the fountain, which drew water from a spring located further upstream, and the donarium, a stone block hollowed in the center and originally closed with a lid. Of notable archaeological interest is the bronze statuette of Hercules at rest (displayed at the National Archaeological Museum Villa Frigerj in Chieti) found inside the small shrine.
Information on the Archaeological Site of Hercules Curinus
Locality Badia
67039 Sulmona (L’Aquila)
087132951
sba-abr@beniculturali.it
https://www.archeoabruzzo.beniculturali.it
free
Source: MIBACT
