Where is it?

Majella (or Maiella) , considered by Abruzzi Mountain's Mother for the conformation of its rocks that resemble the female form, is the second highest continental Apennines massif after the Gran Sasso.
Located in the Central Apennines of Abruzzo bordering the provinces of Chieti, Pescara and L'Aquila, rises to about 40 km from the Adriatic Sea.
At first sight it is wild, rugged. Many of its peaks are over 2000 metres altitude. Vast are the high altitude Plateaus, Plains, often covered with debris, roundish millennial glaciers as a result of the action; profound are its valleys, spread the dolines and the pietraies.
Its northeastern slopes, particularly, are crossed by savages and long valleys, often real canyons, carved by water: the Valley of the Foro, home of eagle owl; the Selvaromana valley; the Orfento Valley, rich in beech woods; the Valley of Santo Spirito and the Taranta Valley, where does that leave the main cavity of the Maiella, including our Grotta del Cavallone.
Its highest peak is the Monte Amaro (2793 m). Other main peaks are: Monte Acquaviva (2737 a.s.l.), Monte Focalone (2676 a.s.l.), Monte Rotondo (2656 a.s.l.), Monte Macellaro (2646 a.s.l.), Pesco Falcone (2546 a.s.l.) e la Cima delle Murelle (2598 a.s.l.).

Around the Majella we can observe, separated by the valleys of Orta and the Aventine, groups of Monte Morrone and Monte Porrara ; connected to the massif through the Highlands of Abruzzo, is instead the Monti Pizzi area.

Where does its name come from?

Different they are the etymological theories on his/her name. Many sustain that this has divine origin and takes the name from the Mayan Goddess, mother of Mercury. The legend tells that Maja goes on the mountain to the search of medicinal grass to save the wounded child in battle Others argue that the ancient name of this mountain is Nicate, by the contraction of the Greek words nican and aete: win the wind. Still others suppose that this derives from Maggiociondolo (Maio, alpine tree), a tree that with its yellow flowers in spring adorned the Woods della Maiella. Another hypothesis is its derivation from Latin maior mons. His name, beyond the etymological debate is historically steeped in symbolic value and mystical: divinity, religion, awakening of nature in spring, secrecy of its shelters.

The Majella, for its being deeply wild and suggestive, has always held a fascination enveloping and mystical for those desirous of recollection of prayer, solitude. This is testified by the passage and the presence of hermitages and hermits devoted to the contemplative life.

The Majella, for its being deeply wild and suggestive, has always held a fascination enveloping and mystical for those desirous of recollection of prayer, solitude. This is testified by the passage and the presence of hermitages and hermits devoted to the contemplative life. Locality Tavola dei Briganti for realizing it.

The Mother Mountain is a place to taste slowly. Something more of a place. Manages, through its colors and its perfumes, to wrap all the senses of anyone we put foot.