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Across the Pass of the Monks

Across the Pass of the Monks
2022. The horses of the Nardone family on transhumance. Photo Dario Novellino © Dario Novellino
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Across the Pass of the Monks

The horse transhumance of the Nardone family is undoubtedly the longest in Lazio: about 130 km on foot from Lenola (Aurunci mountains) to Ateleta (Alto Sangro basin), crossing three different regions: Lazio, Abruzzo and Molise. The most spectacular part of the journey is the famous «Pass of the Monks» (1,967 m), at the foot of Mt. Meta (2,242 m), in the Mainarde mountain range. 

The name Pass of the Monks originates from a legend: Three monks died during a storm in the attempt to cross the pass. The story seems plausible, given the difficulty of reaching the area, especially if one comes from the Western side on a foggy day and in consideration of the fact that, historically, the trail crossing the pass was connected to the well-known abbeys of S. Vincenzo al Volturno and Montecassino.