The Vibrata river is situated in the northern part of the Abruzzo region; along this river you may visit various town which are
of great importance for history, art and architecture. Starting
from Martinsicuro, the first town in Abruzzo coming from
north, you can visit the "Carlo V" tower; then go on towards
Colonnella by a street along which you may see a lot of fruit
farms and vineyards. Going on and crossing Controguerra,
Corropoli and Ancarano there is the important business centre
of Sant'Egidio alla Vibrata with various industries and factory
outlets.
Taking the SS 81 road you reach Civitella del Tronto,
a little but very fascinating town with its noteworthy history
along the rivers Vibrata and Salinello. The views on the
Mountains Laga, Gran Sasso and "dei Fiori", where the Vibrata
river has its origins, are breathtaking. The symbol of Civitella
is its fortress of the Borboni family; inside you may visit the
Medieval and Renaissance homes and various churches and
historical palaces.
Taking the direction to Teramo, you may
rst reach Campli, which is situated on a hill between the
valleys of the rivers Fiumicino and Siccagno. In the city you
may visit important monuments dating from the Iron Age such
as the necropolis and some burial places, the churches
"San Nicola" and "San Francesco" dating from 1300.
In the centre you can visit the Balascio fortress from 1000.
To go back to the coast by the state road along the Salinello
river you can reach Tortoreto, a fascinating seaside of
medieval origins, or take a stop in Sant'Omero, a town that has
been foundated by Charles the Great and Torano Nuovo, well
known for its wines and wine cellars.
The ancient city of Hatria, risen between the VII and the VI century B.C., is said to give the name to the Adriatic sea and to the Roman Emperor Adriano. In the city have taken place a lot of important events in the past and there you will various monuments some of which are important for the architecture. Don't miss Piazza Duomo, the Cathedral Santa Maria Assunta, the ducal palace and other historical and artistic monuments. Besides Atri is well known for its fountains, the caves and the badlands which are real natural monuments.
The sanctuary of San Gabriele, the patron saint of Abruzzo, is situated in the town of Isola del Gran Sasso; it is a well known destination where tourists come all over the year. The antique part of the building dates from 1908 and is build in neoclassical style, while the modern part has been build in coeval style. In the antique part you may admire the rests of the Saint in a bronze urn and in the "Sala dei Doni" some memorabilia of the Saint.
At the foot of the Gran Sasso mountain rises Castelli, the "city of pottery" where the fine art of working this noble row material is passed down over the centuries from father to son. Being the home of famous pottery craftsmen who worked for the King of Neaples and important noble families of Rome, in Castelli you can visit various craftsmen's workshops where it is possible to buy some pottery products.
The origins of the city of Teramo date back to 30 B.C. as you will see visiting the Roman
Theatre, the Amphitheatre and the antique church of Saint Anna. In the heart of the city
you will find the Basilica Cathedral of 1158 with important works of some artists of the
Abruzzo region inside. The Castle "della Monica" with its typical village, which dates back
to the Middle Ages, can be visited only outside. In Teramo you will find the Archeological
Museum and the Picture gallery; not far away from the historical centre of the city there is
the Astrological Station Colleurania. Typical dishes of the local Gastronomy are the "seven
virtues" prepared with seven different dried legumes, fresh vegetables, pasta and meat
and which are served to the first of May festivity. The "Scrippelle" are a tasteful ingredient
of the "scrippelle 'mbusse" soup, first roasted and then added to white stock
La Badia
La Scala Santa
La Fortezza
