Abruzzo

Abruzzo is a region of central Italy bordering Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Moise to the south-east and the Adriatic Sea to the east.

The region is essentially hilly and mountainous and stretches from the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea. It embraces the highest and hugest massifs of Central Italy, with landscapes of rugged and intact beauty, and peaks which often are higher than 2,000 meters. In this part of the Adriatic, the long sandy expanses are replaced by steep and rocky coasts. There are wide amphitheaters near L’Aquila and Sulmona and in the dried hydrographic basin of the Fucino.

National Park of Abruzzo, in the western part of the region, harbors numerous animal species, such as the Marsican Bear and the Gray Wolf.

The regional capital is L'Aquila. Pescara, Chieti, Teramo,  are other important cities.

AQUILA is the regional capital of Abruzzo. It is 800 metres above sea level and a short drive from Gran Sasso, the highest mountain in the Apennines. It is a city with a fantastic artistic and cultural tradition in sharp contrast to the rough terrain on all sides. In fact, this mix of toughness and a refined spirit means L'Aquila is today noted for both its fine university and equally fine rugby team. Worth seeing are the 'Chiesa di S.Giusta', the 'Spanish Castle' and the 'Basilica di S.Bernadino'.

SULMONA is a commercial and light industrial center; it lies in a small, fertile plain enclosed by Apennine peaks. Worth visiting are Palazzo dell'Annunziata (15th–16th cent.), the Gothic Napoli gate, and the Cathedral of San Panfilo. Sulmona is famous as the home of both Ovid and confetti (sugar almonds). After a wedding ceremony in Abruzzo and now in all Italy, the happy couple is pelted with confetti as a wish of good fortune.

NATIONAL PARK OF ABRUZZO is the oldest and most important one in Italy. Its present-day area of 44,000 hectares, which is the result of several enlargements, includes 22 towns in the provinces of L'Aquila, Frosinone and Isernia. The Park is inhabited by bears, chamois, wolves, and deer. The symbol of the Park is the Marsican Brown Bear, which represented, until recently, an endangered species. A visit to the National Park its scenery and environment changing from season to season and always an enjoyable experience. Thanks to the temperate climate, is possible to visit the park all year around.

PESCARA is the largest Abruzzese city: dynamic, active, wealthy, it is one of the main commercial and tourist centers along the Adriatic coast. The sandy beaches extend for over 20 uninterrupted km. Pescara is also famous as the birth place of Gabriele D'Annunzio, one of the main Italian poets of the 20th century.

CHIETI is known for the collections in its archaeological museum, its cathedral and Roman remains. Variations in the architectural styles (Baroque, Late Baroque, 19th century, art nouveau) present an elegant ensemble. It is also a commercial and industrial center.

TERAMO is located bang in the middle of this territory, between the rivers Tordino and Vezzola as they make their way towards the Adriatic. It is an agricultural and growing industrial centre. Of pre-Roman origin, Teramo was included in the medieval duchy of Spoleto and, from 1814 to 1860, in the kingdom of Naples. Note is the Romanesque cathedral (restored in the 14th cent.).

GETTING AROUND Northern Abruzzo is well served by the A24 and A25-E80, and the S17 traverses the interior of Molise.  The costal highway (A14-E55) heads south through Abruzzo and Molise into Puglia.