An Iconic Paved Road to the Historic Campo Imperatore

Campo Imperatore is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 2,167m (7,109ft) above sea level, located in the province of L'Aquila, Italy.

Campo Imperatore

Where is Campo Imperatore?

The plateau is in the Abruzzo region, in the central part of the country, within the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga.

Why is Campo Imperatore Famous?

A hotel midway up Campo Imperatore is where the Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini was imprisoned from August to September 1943, before being freed by a Nazi commando operation. All buildings in Campo Imperatore, except for the Botanical Garden, are connected through an underground tunnel system that can be used when the weather conditions become dangerous. In particular, there is a tunnel connecting the observatory directly to the cableway.

What’s at Campo Imperatore?

At the summit, there are several structures: a weather observatory, a cableway high station, the Albergo Campo Imperatore, a hostel, the Alpine church "Madonna delle Nevi," the Alpine Botanical Garden, and the Ski Area.

How Long is the Road to Campo Imperatore?

The road to the summit is called Strada Regionale 17bis/C. It is fully paved, with some steep and narrow sections. Starting from the SS17bis road, the ascent is 9.8km (6.08 miles) long, with an elevation gain of 492 meters. The average gradient is 5.0%, with a maximum slope of 8.2%.

Is the Road to Campo Imperatore Open in Winter?

The road is usually closed from October to June. Visitors are advised to wear clothing suitable for high-mountain conditions. Even in summer, it can be windy and cold.

Where Was The American Filmed?

Campo Imperatore has been a popular location for filmmakers. It has been featured in more than twenty films, including The American, The Name of the Rose, Krull, Ladyhawke, Il Sole Anche di Notte, and L'Armata Ritorna.