'Dove la natura è spettacolo' or 'Where nature is a spectacle' is the hook used by the local Abruzzo tourism authorities to promote the territory around Scanno in the province of L'Aquila.

The area is practically all the Alta Valle del Sagittario and is topped off by the Lago di Scanno at almost 1000 meters above sea level.

Two small towns are located either side of the lake; Scanno itself and Villalago.

Scanno has always been described as 'la cittaduzza di sapore orientale' which means 'a place of oriental flavor'.

Influence from Asia remains in the designs of the local silver and gold work which experts say come straight from Asia Minor.

Asia Minor is also where many of the inhabitants believe they can trace their ancestry, and it is interesting to note that the women used to sit cross legged on the floor of the churches as opposed to sitting on pews.

Even the traditional costumes worn by the women are notably different from the rest of Abruzzo. The so called 'copricapo' does indeed resemble a type of turban.