Pennadomo, climbing in Abruzzo, Italy

Pennadomo is a small village in Italy's Abruzzo region, surrounded by incredible blades of limestone which strut out from the rolling hills above River Sangro. The refined beauty of this area is unique, especially when one bears in mind the geographical position, its ideal climate, proximity to the Adriatic sea and the wild mountains in this lower section of the Abruzzo.

The first routes date back to the end of the '80's and were established by Giorgio Ferretti. Over the last 20 years the "Lisce", the smooth slabs as they are called, witnessed important moments in the history of sport climbing in Abruzzo and the crag remains a formidable testing ground for sport climbs and multi-pitch trad routes.

The annual "Climbing marathon" organised by the sport club Abruzzo Climb has resulted in a significant increase in new routes being added and old routes being rebolted. This has also come about thanks to the local town council which immediately believed in the importance of this sport as a unique natural resource.

In the future sport tourism may well become an important source of income for the village and its ageing population. The future, one says, belongs to the young, but although these are missing here at Pennadomo, the basis has been laid for others to continue the development. The doors are open for all those willing to invest in an Abruzzo, forgotten and impoverished due to ignorance in recent years, resulting in a region which has not had the just developmente and recognition it deserves!

	CLIMBING AT PENNADOMO, ABRUZZO