Historical Background: Isola del Gran Sasso is the most important commune in the Mavone Valley, situated in the wonderful landscape of the Gran Sasso-Laga National Park. This centre besides its artistic importance is famous because of the presence of the Sanctuary of St. Gabriele, which every years hosts thousands of pilgrims. Abandoned for centuries, this village was founded in the Middle Ages as a defensive stronghold. Isola del Gran Sasso was mentioned for the first time in official documents of the 11th century. During the Renaissnce Isola del Gran Sasso was ruled by important noble families such as the Orsini. The name could come from the position on the village between two rivers, so Isola (an island surrounded with water).