Abruzzo - Travel Guide and Tourism Information for Abruzzo, Italy

ABRUZZO
Provinces: L’Aquila, Chieti, Pescara , Teramo

This region stretches from the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea, hosting the highest and hugest massifs of Central Italy, with landscapes of rugged beauty, and peaks, often higher than 2,000 meters. The National Park of Abruzzo, in the western part of the region, hosts many animal species and a rich flora.

L’AQUILA

The main city, contains an imposing 16th century castle; other noteworthy monuments include the Fontana delle 99 Cannelle, a fountain with 99 spouts (one for each of the villages that founded the city) and the pink and white marble Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio with its Holy Door and Gothic interior. Other churches worth to be visited are S.Maria Paganica and S. Maria del Soccorso.

From L’Aquila you can make an excursion to the Gran Sasso d’Italia, the highest peak of the Apennines; take a cable-car to Campo Imperatore, beautiful both in summer, when it’s full of flowers and in winter as a snowfield.This region offers many excellent ski resorts, like the Terminillo area.
 

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In Sulmona, a medieval town famous for its confetti (sugared almonds) visit the 11th-century cathedral of San Panfilo and the 13th-century church of San Francesco delle Scarpe.

Celano has a 14th century castle but is mainly visited because of the Gole di Celano, a deep gorge.

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PESCARA

This town has 6 1/2 miles of seaside promenade, wide sandy beaches and a large number of bathing stations; it has become the most popular resort in the Mid-Adriatic. For an excursion you may take the splendid seaside drive that links Francavilla through the Pescara pinewood to the important resort of Montesilvano.

On the eastern slopes of the Gran Sasso, Loreto Aprutino, is a pretty hilltown; with 12-13th century frescoes in the church of Santa Maria in Piano. The Acerbo Gallery hosts ancient Abruzzo pottery.
 

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In Penne visit the churches of San Domenico and of the Annunziata, the Cathedral, the church of Santa Maria in Colleromano.

In Atri, a splendid Romanesque Cathedral (Gothic interior with fine frescoes-the most important cycle in the Abruzzi) and other Romanesque churches. From Atri you may easily reach the sea at Pineto degli Abruzzi.

The southern uplands of this region are covered with a great forest of beech, and belong to the National Park of Abruzzo. Marsican brown bears (unique to Italy), wolves, chamois and eagles may be seen here. You can get to Pescasseroli, have a look at the 14th century cathedral of S.Pietro e Paolo and then start a visit to the Park which offers many marked walks.

Nearby Scanno has two charming churches, S.Maria della Valle and S.Maria di Costantinopoli as well as a lake, ideal for picnics.