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Abruzzo, Italy
Abruzzo, ITALIAN REGIONS
Abruzzo is located in central Italy and stretches from the heart of the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea, on a mostly mountainous and wild terrain.
In the mountains, tourist resorts and well-equipped facilities for skiing and winter sports rise among unpolluted peaks and rocky walls: among them are Pescasseroli, Rivisondoli and Roccaraso.
The natural landscape of the high and steep peaks of the Gran Sasso, Laga Mountains, and Mount Majella slopes down to a wide range of hills, until it finally reaches the Adriatic coast.
The route that spans from the Gran Sasso down to the sea crosses territories that are rich in history, traditions and art that never cease to surprise visitors.
Narrow valleys and impressive, natural paths thrust their way into the mountains and hills, as does the amazing and fascinating Aterno Valley, crawling with ancient villages.
Natural reserves, like the National Park of Abruzzo, the Park of Gran Sasso and the Laga Mountains, or that of Mount Majella, protect the typical vegetable and animal species of the area, including the golden eagle, the wolf and the Marsican brown bear.
The Adriatic coast is characterized by long and sandy beaches to the north and pebbly beaches to the south. Also, the small villages of the hinterland, as well as the monasteries and castles of the region, are very charming and part of many touristic routes in this the “greenest region” in Italy.
The provinces of the region are: L’Aquila (regional capital), Pescara, Teramo and Chieti.
The most artistically important town in the region is L’Aquila, located on the mountainside of the Gran Sasso, characterized by a priceless artistic heritage: from the magnificent Basilica di San Bernardino to the Sixteenth-Century castle, from the Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio to the Fontana delle 99 Cannelle (99-spout fountain), embellished with a stone mask for every spout.
This city, famous for “the Celestine Pardon,” offers endless routes to the discovery of history, art and faith.
Unfortunately, the earthquake of April 6th, 2009 struck this city and the surrounding area, causing considerable damage to its precious artistic treasures.
In the Province of Aquila, the famous Castello di Celano – today the home of the Museum of Archaeology and Sacred Art – and the remains of the ancient Roman city of Alba Fucens are just some of the numerous testimonies narrating the long and complex history of Abruzzo.
The city of Pescara, an important for seaside tourism, preserves the memory of the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. Lying along Abruzzo’s coastline, Pescara boasts numerous long and sandy beaches.
Beach-goers also flock to places like Tortoreto, Giulianova, Silvi Marina, Roseto and, further south, Ortona, Vasto and San Salvo.
Chieti, perched on a hill near the coast, is composed of its beautiful 11th-Century Cathedral; and its National Archaeological Museum, also quite fascinating for its prehistoric finds and vestiges of Greek and Roman civilization.
Another important town is Teramo, with its Medieval Cathedral and the remains of a Roman
theatre and amphitheatre.
The countless old borgoes in the Province serveas the repositories of a rural lifestyle whose traditions are still alive today, thanks to local folklore and handicraft.
One of the most picturesque towns is Scanno, located near an enchanting lake in the Sangro Valley, with its narrow alleys, Baroque gateways and old buildings. Sulmona, the hometown of poet Ovidio, is equally-rich in history, traditions and artistic treasures, including the famous Hermitage of Pope Celestine V.
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