Atina

Massive polygonal walls shield and protect one of the treasures of the Comino Valley. A place nestled and surrounded by rocky mountains and graced with narrow alleys, stone-paved squares, monumental arches and ancient palaces.

When you reach Atina, just cross Piazza dell'Assunta, the main square, and gently walk into the old charming town centre, stopping first at the archaeological museum "G. Visocchi": there archaeological finds are enshrined recalling the history of the territory and ancient rites, with their magic of making visitors travel in the past daily life of the Valley.

At the highest point of the old town is Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace), which is a national monument: inside you can see a majestic mosaic made of black and white tiles, representing four armed warriors, while some rooms still show intact their original features, such as the chapel dedicated to Saint Onofrio.

Walking along Via Sferracavallo and away from the town centre, you can reach the archaeological area of the Collegiate Church of S.Maria (Collegiata di S. Maria), where the remains of an old flagstone-paved Roman road recall once again the strong presence of the Romans in the area.

The building stands out and dominates the hill of Santo Stefano, which is located near the old town centre and is considered a natural oasis with tall trees, as well as a scenic spot from where enjoying the view of the impressive pre-Roman walls, the remains of the acropolis and the Comino Valley.

Leaving the town centre and crossing the river Melfa, within easy reach there is another jewel of Atina’s cultural and artistic scenario, Académie Vitti Museum. The museum contains all the materials of the private art school active in Paris, preserving the historical-cultural heritage of the eponymous atelier.

Leaving the town centre and crossing the river Melfa, within easy reach there is another jewel of Atina’s cultural and artistic scenario, Académie Vitti Museum. The museum contains all the materials of the private art school active in Paris, preserving the historical-cultural heritage of the eponymous atelier. Atina tells the story of the Valley rich in events and beauty through the sinuous lines of its buildings and archaeological finds, which make it a lively cultural hub, the stage of several international events such as Atina Jazz Festival, as well as the main destination for roots tourism in the Comino Valley. It often happens to hear, during the chatty weekly street market, conversations and memories in a foreign language, sometimes enriched with some ancient dialect word learnt during childhood playtime.

Every summer Atina becomes the meeting point for those who long for the past gone by and come back to bring it back to their memory.