Friday 16
May 2025
168 km
Altitude Gain 3500 m
Starting in
This tough Apennine stage features the first uphill finish. The race tackles Roccaraso at the start, and after a long descent from Pian delle Cinque Miglia to Sulmona, it climbs Monte Urano and Vado della Forcella on Monte Sirente. The various ups and downs culminate in the final ascent from Tagliacozzo to Marsia, with the last 3 km featuring persistent double-digit gradients.
Host city:
Castel di Sangro, located in the Abruzzo National Park, is a small town rich in history and natural beauty. The Castle of Raimondo and the medieval historic center offer picturesque views, while its proximity to the Roccaraso ski resorts makes it an ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts. The city is also known for its gastronomic tradition, which includes typical Abruzzo dishes, and for its numerous hiking opportunities in the surrounding nature.
Among the most iconic dishes are Budarelli, small skewers of lamb innards grilled over an open flame, symbolizing the local culture. Pallotte Cacio e Ova are cheese and egg balls, born from peasant cuisine but incredibly tasty. Another traditional dish is Cazzarielli e Fagioli, homemade pasta served with beans, a perfect representation of mountain cuisine. Trippa al Sugo, prepared with beef tripe slowly cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce, is a classic of the local gastronomy. Among the first courses, Chitarra all’Abruzzese stands out—freshly hand-cut spaghetti seasoned with a rich meat ragù. For appetizer lovers, a nice platter of cold seasoned meat and cheeses offer a taste of the variety and quality of the region’s typical products. Among the second courses, we find Trota al Cartoccio, a fish dish that enhances the flavors of the Sangro River, and Callara lamb, a slow and traditional preparation that brings out the intense flavor of mutton. Scrippelle ‘mbusse, delicate crepes soaked in broth, represent a simple yet historically rich dish. Finally, to end the meal on a sweet note, there are Mostaccioli di Castel di Sangro, spiced biscuits perfect for concluding an authentic culinary experience rooted in Abruzzo tradition.
Among the most representative wines of this area are Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Pecorino, and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is undoubtedly the symbolic red wine of the region. Made from the homonymous grape variety, it stands out for its intense ruby color, aromas of ripe red fruits and spices, along with a well-balanced tannic structure. It pairs perfectly with robust dishes from Abruzzo tradition, such as arrosticini and local cured meats. Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is one of the unique features of the region. This rosé wine, obtained from Montepulciano grapes, is characterized by a bright cherry color, floral and fruity aromas, and a freshness that makes it versatile at the table. It pairs well with appetizers, fresh cheeses, and seafood dishes. Pecorino is a white grape variety that has been rediscovered in recent decades. The resulting wine has a straw-yellow color with golden reflections, a complex aromatic bouquet with notes of citrus, white flowers, and aromatic herbs, along with good acidity and structure. It is ideal for pairing with seafood dishes, shellfish, and semi-aged cheeses. Finally, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is a traditional white wine known for its freshness and simplicity. With a pale straw-yellow color, it offers scents of white-fleshed fruit and wildflowers, with a pleasantly balanced taste. It is often paired with light Mediterranean dishes, such as seafood salads and vegetable-based first courses.
The Museo Civico Aufidenate hosts a rich collection of archaeological finds from the ancient Samnite city of Aufidena. Here, visitors can admire artifacts that tell the history of the area, from the pre-Roman period to the Middle Ages, offering a fascinating overview of the life and traditions of local populations. The Pinacoteca Patiniana, dedicated to the painter Teofilo Patini, displays a vast collection of the artist’s works, known for his realistic depictions of rural Abruzzo life. The paintings, characterized by strong social realism, showcase scenes of everyday life and the deep connection between the local people and their land. The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, the city’s main religious building, dates back to the 13th century and represents a perfect blend of Romanesque and Baroque elements. Inside, visitors can admire valuable frescoes, a historic organ, and a decorated altar, making the visit a unique experience for lovers of sacred art. On Colle San Giovanni, visitors can admire the evocative ruins of the Medieval Castle, an ancient fortress that once dominated the valley. The site, immersed in a fascinating natural setting, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains, testifying to the strategic importance of the citadel over the centuries. Finally, the Adventure Park is an ideal attraction for nature lovers and outdoor activities. With suspended tree paths, Tibetan bridges, and zip lines, the park provides fun for all ages, making Castel di Sangro a perfect destination for families and sports enthusiasts.
Tagliacozzo, located in the heart of the Abruzzo region and mentioned by Dante in Canto XXVIII of the Inferno, is famous for the 1268 battle that marked the end of Swabian rule. Founded between two rocks, it was a fiefdom of the Orsini and Colonna families. Since the late 19th century, it has been a well-known tourist destination, hosting cultural events such as the Mid-Summer International Festival and Carnival. Among its main yearly events are Holy Week, the Romantic Night, Dante Street, Birrart, and “Cellars in the Rock.”
Tagliacozzo has been influenced over the centuries by Roman and Neapolitan culinary traditions. From the classic timballo di pasta, richly seasoned, to mountain tradition soups such as gnocchetti with chickpeas and maltagliati with lentils, to pecora “ajjo cotturo” (slow-cooked sheep) and lamb roasts. The local cheese production is also excellent, with medium and long-aged cheeses, as well as cured meats, including fresh and aged sausages. Other typical local dishes include cornmeal pizza with “sfrizzojji” and pizza summa. A special mention goes to the Cloistered Nuns of the ancient Benedictine Monastery of Saints Cosma and Damiano, who prepare traditional sweets shaped like horses for boys and doves for girls during the “Blessing Festival.” They also produce jams and liqueurs. In Tagliacozzo, throughout the year, one can also enjoy traditional Christmas sweets made with walnuts and honey, filled waffles known as nevole, and, during major festivities, the so-called “zuppa inglese,” a layered dessert of sponge cake and custard creams.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is undoubtedly the symbolic red wine of the region. Made from the homonymous grape variety, it stands out for its deep ruby color, aromas of ripe red fruits and spices, along with a well-balanced tannic structure. It pairs perfectly with robust dishes from the Abruzzo tradition, such as arrosticini and local cured meats. Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, on the other hand, is a traditional white wine known for its freshness and simplicity. With a pale straw-yellow color, it offers scents of white-fleshed fruit and wildflowers, with a pleasantly balanced taste. It is often paired with light Mediterranean dishes, such as seafood salads and vegetable-based first courses.
The symbolic place of the City of Tagliacozzo, illuminated 100 days before the Giro d’Italia, is Piazza dell’Obelisco, a harmonious space enclosed by historic buildings, at the center of which stands the namesake fountain, celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2025. Among the most significant buildings are the 15th-century Palazzo del Governatorato, once owned by the Orsini family, the 16th-century Palazzo del Governatore dei Colonna, and the 17th-century Palazzo Fallace, featuring a splendid loggia. The square was originally surrounded by a perimeter portico, whose arches were closed in the 19th century to create artisan shops and commercial spaces. The Obelisk Fountain, built in 1825 in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua, is modeled after Roman Baroque fountains: above an irregular rock stands a stone obelisk, topped with a bronze cross. Before the fountain, at the center of the square stood a stone seat known locally as “pilozzo”, which served as a pillory where debtors were forced to sit with their trousers down as punishment.
The Church of San Francesco, legitimized on 20 November 1233, is one of the first sacred buildings dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, just seven years after his death in 1226. The architecture, in perfect Gothic lines, preserves some precious historical and artistic memories of the city. The Talia Theatre was built in the 17th century by a Duke of the Colonna family and is named after the Muse Thalia, the protector of theatrical arts, who, according to legend, also gave the city its name. It is said that she resided in the cave near the springs of the Imele River, hence Taliae Otium, meaning the retreat of Thalia.
Also noteworthy is the Palazzo Ducale Orsini Colonna, one of Italy’s most important architectural and historical monuments, whose origins date back to the 13th century and which was later expanded and enriched over the centuries. A few hundred meters from the historic center, following a shaded path accessible to all, which runs alongside the ancient mills and the course of the Imele River, one arrives at the base of the rocky cliff from which the river, praised in Virgil’s Aeneid, emerges from the depths of Mount Aurunzo.
A few kilometers from the town, along the ancient route of the Via Tiburtina Valeria, reaching the highest point of the consular road at 1200 meters on Mount Bove, we enter the Marsia mountain area (the arrival location of the 7th stage of the Giro d’Italia), named after the mythological satyr who dared to challenge the god Apollo in a musical competition with the flute. From here, the valleys and forests of the central Apennine chain (Simbruini Mountains) unfold, home to Europe’s largest beech forest. In summer, the clearings within the beech forest become the setting for major concerts, including performances by renowned musicians such as Nicola Piovani, Alessandro Quarta, and Giovanni Allevi.
Durazzo (Durrës) - Tirana (Tiranë)
Tirana (Tiranë) - Tirana (Tiranë) TUDOR ITT
Valona (Vlorë) - Valona (Vlorë)
Alberobello (Pietramadre) - Lecce
Ceglie Messapica - Matera
Potenza - Napoli
Castel di Sangro - Tagliacozzo
Giulianova - Castelraimondo
Gubbio - Siena
Lucca - Pisa TUDOR ITT
Viareggio - Castelnovo ne' Monti
Modena - Viadana (Oglio-Po)
Rovigo - Vicenza
Treviso - Nova Gorica/Gorizia
Fiume Veneto - Asiago
Piazzola sul Brenta - San Valentino (Brentonico)
San Michele all'Adige (Fondazione Edmund Mach) - Bormio
Morbegno - Cesano Maderno
Biella - Champoluc
Verrès - Sestrière (Vialattea)
Roma - Roma
