I Love Travelling To The Unknown Italy - Western Abruzzi

If you plan to tour Europe destination, consider visiting the Abruzzi region of central Italy. This beautiful area might be your ideal vacation spot. You can see scads of churches, lots of Roman ruins, engage in winter sports, simply enjoy nature, eat well, and much more. While Abruzzi is close to Rome, it is definitely off the beaten path. Be sure to read the companion articles in this series that present eastern Abruzzi and the fabulous Gran Sasso National Park.

Teramo is a regional capital whose population is some fifty thousand. Piazza Orsini, the town center, hosts the Town Hall, the Fourteenth Century Palazzo Vescovile (Bishop's Palace), and the Romanesque Twelfth Century Duomo (Cathedral) of San Berardo. Southeast of the cathedral are the remains of a Roman amphitheater. The west front of the cathedral faces on to the Piazza dei Martiri della Liberta. There are several other churches worth visiting.

Montorio al Vomano is a town of some eight thousand people. Start at Il Colle (The hill) for a beautiful view of the valley below. Above the town you will see the ruins of the Fortress San Carlo, started by the Spanish Marchese del Carpio in 1686 to fight against brigand forces. Make sure to visit the Sixteenth Century Church of San Rocco in Piazza Orsini, the main square that boasts painted wooden altars and beautiful tapestries. Other churches to see include the Sixteenth Century Capuchin Convent and Church of Santa Maria della Salute and the Church of the Zoccolanti in the historic town center. On the road to Teramo lies the Church of San Lorenzo built on ancient Roman ruins. Take the ancient Roman road that runs towards L'Aquila to see the remains of the Temple of Hercules. Near Christmas enjoy the traditional 'Lu Stu, where the townspeople gather and are met by small groups of people carrying decks of 40 playing cards that depict historical figures. The whole scene is really quite animated, especially if you understand the local dialect. Then it's on to the regional capital of L'Aquila, only one hundred kilometers (sixty some miles) from Rome by a highway through the mountains.

Start your tour of the regional capital of L'Aquila at the central Piazza del Duomo containing the Thirteenth Century Cathedral of San Massimo. In the highest part of the town sits the Forte Spagnolo (Spanish fort) erected in the mid-Sixteenth Century and now home to the National Museum of Abruzzo. Nearby you can find Roman ruins (the important Roman city of Amiternum), ancient monasteries, and numerous castles. Rocca Calascio is the highest castle in all Italy and one of the highest in Europe.

In the highest part of the town you will find the Forte Spagnolo (Spanish fort) erected in the mid-Sixteenth Century that is now home to the National Museum of Abruzzo. Make sure that you see the municipal museum and the Palazzi Dragonetti and Persichetti. You might be surprised that the local cemetery includes the grave of a Nineteenth Century German gay rights pioneer, who lived and died at L'Aquila. Make sure to see the Fontana delle novantanove cannelle, a fountain with ninety-nine jets distributed along three walls, constructed in the late Thirteenth Century on the outskirts of town. The surrounding area boasts Roman ruins (the important Roman city of Amiternum), ancient monasteries, and several castles. Rocca Calascio is the highest castle in all Italy and one of the highest in Europe. Wherever you go, whatever you do, make sure to taste some fine Abruzzi wines.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com