Abruzzo, a region to discover
Thereabouts
Places to Visit
For those who want to move, we recommend that you visit, inland:
- The Abruzzo National Park;
- the Bourbon Fortress of Civitella del Tronto;
- Campli and its characteristic Scala Santa;
- The Sanctuary of San Gabriele in Isola del Gran Sasso;
- The Acquapark Onda Blu Water Park in nearby Tortoreto.
Famous for being the last Bourbon stronghold to fall and thus sanctioning the end of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Civitella del Tronto stands with its fortress on a cliff in the Val Vibrata. The upper part of the town is characterized by one of the most impressive military engineering works ever built in Italy, divided into two areas, one residential and the other defensive, which extend for five hundred meters in length on a rocky ridge. The whole history of the village is linked to the strategic position it had for a few centuries. Even today, visiting it means understanding the military tactics and building strategies of fortified areas, to protect yourself from the numerous sieges suffered in history. Among the noteworthy buildings we can mention the religious ones such as the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Lumi, the Church of San Francesco, that of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Abbey of Santa Maria in Montesanto. The town also boasts the presence of the Ruetta, the narrowest street in Italy, although in reality the primacy is disputed with an alley in Ripatransone. Furthermore, the surrounding area is home to areas of naturalistic interest, such as the Salinello Gorges and the Sant’Angelo and Salomone Caves, ideal destinations for excursions on the southern slope of the Montagna dei Fiori.
Campli is located on a hill between the valleys of the Fiumicino and Siccagno streams. Rich in architectural monuments that make it a real city of art, Campli is home to a section of the National Archaeological Museum which houses the remains of the Campovalano Necropolis. A beautiful example of medieval architecture is the Parliamentary Palace which later became Farnese, located in front of the Cathedral of S. Maria in Platea from 1300, which has a Romanesque bell tower. The Scala Santa is also famous, so called because, after 1776, the custom of granting indulgence to those who walked it on their knees spread. A few kilometers from Alba Adriatica, you arrive at the small town of Campania, rich in gastronomic traditions, the most famous of which concerns the porchetta, to be tasted also during the classic festival at the end of August.
A small village in the province of Teramo, Colonnella is located within the Val Vibrata and represents one of the most interesting centers in the area. Of medieval origin, it has a historic center which is accessed from the characteristic staircase, symbol of the town, where we find, among other buildings, the Municipal House, currently awaiting restoration, the Clock Tower, Palazzo Pardi, headquarters, during a year, of various exhibitions and cultural initiatives. In addition, in the municipal area it is possible to trace the pinciaje, raw earth dwellings typical of Abruzzo and the Marches, still used today mostly as service rooms and agricultural sheds.
Lying on the hills of Teramo, Controguerra is located at 267 meters above sea level, opening onto an enchanting panorama overlooking the sea on one side and the Laga mountains on the other. From archaeological remains found in the area, it can be deduced that its foundation dates back to the prehistoric and Roman period, even if it experienced its maximum growth in the Renaissance period. Among the things to see, the small village offers the Torrione, the rest of a Roman building that dominates the whole town, the Church of S. Maria delle Grazie, the Plebani Plaque and the already known pinciaie, typical of the area. Controguerra is also known for the presence of some of the most important wineries in the area.
Ascoli Piceno is a city to be experienced, strolling through its medieval heart where the most beautiful Renaissance squares of the Marches open and in the streets that still respect the layout of the ancient Roman roads. Absolutely unmissable, then, an aperitif under the arcades, in cafes and pastry shops, thus tasting the irresistible stuffed olives, a masterpiece of Ascoli gastronomy. Those who go to Ascoli Piceno on the first Sunday of August can attend the famous Quintana knightly tournament: a long fifteenth-century costume parade of the inhabitants of the districts in which the city is divided.
Monuments and historic buildings, churches, works of art and suggestive natural landscapes make this center of the province of Teramo an authentic open-air museum, one of the most beautiful art cities of Abruzzo. In one of his reports, the journalist and writer Giorgio Manganelli describes it as follows: "City of mountain contemplation, since it looks at both the Majella and the Gran Sasso d'Italia, it is resolutely a city that is more than ancient, archaic". The proximity to the coast makes it an excellent starting point to reach the beaches of Roseto degli Abruzzi, Silvi or Pineto where, submerged in the seabed in front of the Torre del Cerrano, the remains of the ancient port of the Roman city of Hadria are visible.
Castelli is a picturesque town located in the Abruzzo region, famous for the production of high quality artistic ceramics. Characterized by a fascinating medieval historic centre, the city offers visitors numerous monuments and places of cultural interest, including the church of San Giovanni Battista and the Museum of Ceramics. Castelli's ceramic tradition dates back to the 15th century and still today represents an important economic activity for the city, with several craft shops where it is possible to admire the skill of local potters. Furthermore, the city is surrounded by a hilly landscape of rare beauty, full of paths and nature trails, ideal for trekking and nature lovers. For those looking for an authentic destination off the beaten track, Castelli certainly represents an interesting and fascinating destination.
Teramo, a splendid town in Abruzzo, is the ideal destination for nature lovers, with the Gran Sasso d’Italia and the Laga massif that form the backdrop to one of the most evocative coastal coasts of the Italian peninsula. The city is located in a basin at the confluence of the Tordino river and the Vezzola stream, in the same place as the ancient Interamnia, a Roman colony. The medieval city was built on the same area, still recognizable by the winding streets, arcades and ruins of the walls. And it was the Middle Ages the period of splendor of the city, despite the bitter struggles between local families and external lordships, first Angevin and then Aragonese.
The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is one of the three national parks in Abruzzo and is one of the largest protected nature reserves in Italy. The Park's environmental, tourist and cultural project aims not only at safeguarding the natural beauties of this area but also at the protection and enhancement of a heritage made up of centuries-old traditions.