Abruzzo: The Green Heart of Europe.
The Abruzzo region is situated along the Adriatic Coast, extending 129 km. from the Tronto River in the north to the Trigno River in the south. Inland, the Region is mainly mountainous covering a territory of 10.947 sq. km.
Although there are no plains in the costal area, a few can be found inland, such as the “Piana del Fucino” (Fucino Plain) which was obtained through the draining of a lake bearing the same name.
The Province of L’Aquila is a mountainous area, while hills prevail in the Province of Chieti. Pescara and Teramo instead are characterized by both mountains and hills.

The Capital city of the Abruzzo region is L’Aquila, although Pescara remains the financial and administrative heart of the Region and its most populated city. Pescara is a distinctly modern city, founded in 1927 thanks to the union of Castellammare Adriatico and Pescara. The city boasts a new railway station, airport and one of the largest and most important tourist harbours of the Mediterranean Sea.
With its inland natural beauty defined as “Europe’s Green Region”, famous for its beautiful parks and nature reserves, Abruzzo is an area rich in history, art and gastronomy specialities.
The region’s most important inland areas of development are situated in extensive valleys, namely L’Aquila, Sulmona and Avezzano.
Teramo: History
During the Age of the Roman Empire the city of Teramo was called “Interamnia” (meaning “between two rivers”) and was both a colony and municipality.
Under the Emperor Augustus and later the Emperor Adriano, Teramo underwent a golden age, proof of which stand temples, baths, an amphitheatre and a wide array of other monuments, today buried under the new city.
After a long period of prosperity the Roman city was destroyed in 410 by the Goths and Alaric causing its downfall. Later, under the rule of the Longobards it was annexed as a County to the Duchy of Spoleto.
Norman and Angevin rules followed until the mid 15th century when the city became part of the Kingdom of Naples. Following Austrian occupation during the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714) and a brief period of French rule in 1798, Teramo shared the vicissitudes of the Kingdom of Naples until the year 1860, when, together with the whole Abruzzo region, it became part of Italy.
Today, Teramo has become an important agricultural and financial centre with a number of small and medium-sized enterprises. It has also become a lively tourist location, thanks to its “mid-way” position – only 20 km away both from the mountains and the seaside.
Teramo offers 50 km. of splendid golden-sand beaches and non-polluted waters together with some of the most spectacular snow-capped mountain peaks of the Central Apennine Chain.

The Cathedral : “Il Duomo”
Situated in the centre of the main square, The Cathedral is the most important monument of the city, built in 1158,
Inside a nave and two aisles, divided by round columns and pillars can be admired. Works such as “Paliotto D’argento by Nicola da Guardiagrele and the Polyptych of Saint Agostino (15th century) by Jacobello del Fiore together with frescoes dating back to 15th-century are of noteworthy importance. Next to the Cathedral stands the bell-tower completed by Antonio da Lodi in the XV century.

The Roman Theatre
The Roman Theatre, whose ruins occupy a wide area of the city centre, dates back approximately to 30 B.C. The tiers, 78 meters in diameters, are made of travertine and stand upon 20 arches.
Reserved for spectators, the tiers seated approximately 3,000 people. To the right stand the remains of the Amphitheatre, dating back to XIII century.

The Sant'Antonio Church
Other noteworthy sites include the Sant'Antonio Church which, according to the legend of San Francesco D’Assisi, was built in 1227 and enlarged a century later, its facade has a beautiful Romanesque portal; the Convent of San Giovanni with its lovely cloister; the 14th-century buildings of Palazzo Vescovile and of the town hall Loggia; San Domenico Church and Casa Capuani
(Capuani Residence). Outside the city centre, Madonna delle Grazie, built in 1153, presents a beautiful wooden statue of the Virgin dating back to the XV century together with a very original cloister.

The “Della Monica Castle”
This is medieval Castle with its own surrounding village adorned by merlons and windows. Conceived as a “single work of art”, it was created by the painter Gennaro Della Monica.
The Astronomical Observatory
On the top of one of the many hills surrounding the city, The Astronomical Observatory of Collurania is of noteworthy importance, containing the instruments bought by its founder, Vincenzo Cerulli in 1917. Today, the scientists employed here study stellar astrophysics. There are two projects under way in co-operation with the University of Teramo concerning degree- courses in astrophysics, communication and scientific divulgation.
Suburbs.
In the suburban area the most beautiful Romanic monument is Santa Maria di Ronzano in Castel Castagna, an important site revealing the influence of Apulian art. Its presbytery boasts a series of noteworthy frescoes. In the town of Atri, the Cathedral of Santa Maria is of great interest, characterized by marvellous Romanic structures and splendid frescoes by Andrea De Litio. At the feet of the Gran Sasso peak, not far from to the village of Isola, the Sanctuary of San Gabriele Dell’Addolorata (Patron Saint of young people and of the whole Abruzzo Region), attracts visitors all year round. Next to the small conventual church, a modern building able to hold 10,000 people was built in 1970 and is visited annually by over 2 million devoted worshippers. It is also a centre for many important religious events such as the International Festival of Sacred Art.