In Francavilla no children are born any more (actually 250 take residence here every year after being born in Pescara hospital). In Loreto no baby is called Zopito. In Salle for years now the birth rate is nil. In Sant'Eufemia the primary school has only 25 children altogether. The mayors are taking special measures: in Francavilla each baby born in the municipality receives one million Lire, and in Loreto the same sum is granted to those given the name of Zopito. In Salle young couples are offered a home.

In the article the detailed itinerary from Pescasseroli to the church of the Madonna nera, inside the National Park of Abruzzo, at the edge of a giant beech forest. In the church an ancient statue of a black Madonna possibly of Eastern origin.

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