Positioned among the wonderful mountains of Abruzzo, along the Tirino Valley, Ofena is characterized as a hidden jewel rich in history, tradition and natural beauty. Its roots lie in antiquity, dating back to Roman times, when the city was known by the name of Aufinum.

Over the centuries, the village of Ofena has been visited by different historical eras and has been marked by Roman and Lombard dominations, which shaped its unique character and great cultural heterogeneity. The archaeological remains, including the Roman walls and medieval remains, tell the compelling stories of a glorious past.

Ofena, in addition to history, also contains an extraordinary natural beauty. Surrounded by green hills, lush forests and crystal-clear waterways, the city offers a perfect retreat for lovers of nature and outdoor sports. Its breathtaking views and its atmosphere of absolute tranquility capture the essence of wild and uncontaminated Abruzzo, which has its roots in tradition.

The Warrior of Capestrano

The Ofena area is, as mentioned, steeped in history in every corner: this has meant that this land has been the subject of numerous archaeological excavations. The most famous brought to light the Warrior of Capestrano, a monolithic limestone sculpture found in 1934 in a necropolis in the ancient city of Aufinum. Symbol of pride of the people of Abruzzo, it depicts at first sight an austere warrior in military costume with weapons and collars. An enigmatic figure, it could be a king or a warrior, a man or a woman, certainly one of the most mysterious finds that the past has given us back to Abruzzo - of which it has become an internationally recognized symbol - and to the world.

The "oven" of Abruzzo

By the people of Abruzzo the village of Ofena is often defined as the "oven" of Abruzzo; a name deriving from the high temperatures reached in summer by the town of Vestino and, more generally, by the entire Tirino Valley. Precisely this microclimate has made the Valley a true cradle of excellence for what concerns viticulture, giving life to wines of exceptional quality among which Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Trebbiano stand out.

It is not only wine, however, that finds the perfect habitat for unique products: Ofena and the Tirino Valley are in fact famous for quality extra virgin olive oil, for the finest saffron and for the cultivations of Solina wheat, chickpeas , grass peas and lentils at high altitude.

An apparently barren nature, that of this ancient valley, but which flows into the crystalline waters of the Tirino river, which comes from a long underground path; waters rich in fauna and home to colonies of migratory birds throughout the seasons.

Flora, fauna and… a submerged city: this valley is in fact also famous for“Atlantis of Abruzzo”: where Lake Capo d'Acqua stands today, in fact, in ancient times there existed a mill and a paint factory built near the Capo d'Acqua spring. The paint factory is still visible on the surface today, while the mill of around 400 mXNUMX, in good condition, is completely immersed in the crystal clear water of the lake and is characterized by ancient traditional building techniques. The remains of two wall arches and the wooden platbands of the doors and windows are clearly visible. To the side there is another smaller mill, probably an extension of the other. The pavement of the ancient paths that were once walked by farmers with their load of grain is also intact.

History, charm, food and wine and nature: there is certainly no shortage of reasons to visit Ofena and the Tirino valley. However, we want to give you a small taste of how with our company we have told, through extra virgin olive oil and wine, the history of our land: visit our website and immerse yourself with all 5 senses in the world of the Valle Tritàna winery.