The story of Valle Catellana is particularly rich and suggestive, embellished by tales of hermits and brigands, that disrupted the entire territory during the Renaissance with their continuous plundering and incursions. This chaotic period ended when the Bourbons chose Valle Castellana as their stronghold.

Many are the vestiges of a past that has conserved all of its fascination and that can still be seen in the many villages that are part of this small municipality. A good example represent the remains of Castel Manfrino, a defensive tower that was built in 1263 upon the ruins of an ancient Roman castrum, and commissioned by the King of Sicily, Manfredi di Svevia. The legend says that the king's treasure and maybe his remains are still buried below the castle.

Further monuments are worthwhile, like the Church of San Vito (12th century), the Church dell'Annunziata (11^th century) which conserves precious 16th-century frescos and the Church of Santa Rufina with its stone façade and Gothic door.

Thanks to the uncontaminated nature, immersed in the wide and luxuriant woods of the Monti della Laga, Valla Castellana offers tourists a whole range of activities, all year long: nature excursions, horse rides or walks through old water mills, hundred-year-old oaks, natural caves and hermitages. The splendid lake lago di Talvacchia and many surrounding streams, well stocked with fish, count among the most appreciated destinations of sportfishing lovers

Without any doubt, the best period to visit Valle Castellana is autumn, when the traditional festivals dedicated to chestnuts (in particular the sorts coming from Valle Castellana and from Leofara) take place. They have by now become traditional events that enliven the autumn in Teramo and can attract thousands of  tourists, some coming from outside the region.