Casa Morphosi

Casa Morphosi is our historic house in the rural Italian village of Introdacqua in Abruzzo Italy.

We host writers and artists at no charge, to provide them space to focus on their creative practice. Guests stay in a self-contained furnished apartment.

Casa Morphosi borders the main piazza in Introdacqua's historic centre, and is a few steps from the local deli, bakery, pharmacy, post office, and bar/cafe. Free car parking is nearby.

The name Morphosi is inspired by the epic poem Metamorphoses by Ovid, who was born in nearby Sulmona in 43 BCE.

We began renovations in late 2025 and look forward to hosting writers and artists from June 2026

Introdacqua

Casa Morphosi is located in the rural village of Introdacqua, Italy, surrounded by national parks, and fed by multiple mountain springs. Introdacqua is included in the Club of the most beautiful villages of Italy.

The Lombards founded Introdacqua in the 10th century, creating the dongione tower above the main village. However, construction flourished in the 14th century under the Medici family, and is reflected in Introdacqua's churches and buildings.

The village currently has around 1600 residents.

In summer, Introdacqua is pleasantly warm and in winter usually enjoys snow. Average temperatures by month are available here.

Getting There

To reach Sulmona, the large regional town close to Introdacqua, you can drive or take a 2 hour train/bus ride from Rome Terminal (the station near Rome airport), or a 1.5 hr train/bus ride from Pescara train station (near Pescara airport on the Adriatic coast). The Omio app is useful for booking tickets for Tren Italia and Flix buses. The Pronto bus service also runs from Rome to Sulmona and takes 2-3 hours (buy tickets via www.prontobusitalia.it).

To reach Introdacqua from Sulmona, it is possible to take the local bus, hire a taxi, rent a car or walk.

The local bus company, TUA, runs regular buses between Sulmona and Introdacqua - usually about 15 minutes ride. We recommend downloading the TUA bus app so you can readily buy tickets and check the bus timetable.
It is possible to order a car/driver to travel to/from Introdacqua and Sulmona - the drive is about 10 minutes and cost is usually 20 euro. Call or use Whatsapp: Riccardo +39 351 568 1444, who speaks English
There are car rental services in Sulmona, such as https://gianniniautonoleggio.it/ which has a website for quotes/bookings
The walk from Sulmona to Introdacqua takes about 90 minutes (use Google maps).

If you have a car, there is free parking behind Casa Morphosi, and it is possible to drive up to the front door to unload luggage.

What To See And Do Around Introdacqua

Beautiful villages: all accessible by local bus or car

Scanno, a stunning heart-shaped mountain lake and historic resort town
Pacentro, a medieval village with beautifully preserved towers
Sulmona, a historic town that was the capital of a Norman province and dates back to ancient Roman times, most notably as the birthplace of the Roman poet Ovid
Anversa, a lovely hilltop town with a Norman ruin

Notable sites: accessible by local buses, walking, car and/or e-bike

Hermitage Sant’Onofrio of Pope Celestine V; a tiny church and hermitage clinging to the side of a cliff outside Sulmona, usually open on Saturdays and Sundays
Shrine of Hercules Curinus; Roman ruins below the Hermitage mentioned above
Sulmona Archaeological Museum in the historic centre, including ancient Roman antiquities
Campo 78; WWII camp that held over 500 ANZAC soldiers, outside Sulmona. Must book ahead to visit: unafondazioneperilmorrone@gmail.com

Local walks: Use Google Maps or the AllTrails app

Walk to Monte Plaja hilltop for amazing views of Introdacqua and the Peligna Valley: 1 hr one way, via gravelled track from Introdacqua village
Take the picturesque hilltop track from Bugnara (neighbouring village) to Introdacqua: get the local bus to Bugnara and walk 2 hrs through the countryside back to Introdacqua
Walk from Introdacqua to Sulmona via country lanes rather than the main road: 1.5hrs one way

Key Introdacqua events: join the Facebook pages Introdacqua (AQ) and Comune di Introdacqua for details

April: Running of the Madonna at Easter
August: Intro Sounds music festival
November: Traditional Thanksgiving festival

Other local events: accessible by local bus or car

Weekly produce/goods market in Sulmona - Wednesdays and Saturdays
April: Festival of Fires in Sulmona
April/May: Freedom Trail 3-day hike, retracing footsteps of allied soldiers fleeing the Nazis who were supported by farmers and villagers, including in Introdacqua (can also be walked independently)
May: Snake festival in Cocullo
July: Medieval fair in Sulmona
August: Bugnara Romantica florist and music festival in Bugnara

Excellent restaurants:

Cantina di Biffi in Sulmona
AnimA in Introdacqua for fine dining
La Trota in Introdacqua for pizza

Introdacqua cafe/bars:

Bar Spillo for beverages and snacks
Cafe Nero for beverages and meals

Casa Morphosi

Introdacqua

Getting There

What To See And Do Around Introdacqua

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