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Nature in Abruzzo
The Abruzzo region can be proud of its singular tourist vocation, the result of having integrated the age-old local tradition for hospitality with a modern amenity structure.
The development has left all intact the natural heritage of the mountains, sea, rivers, lakes and open air. We have contented oasis where the visitor can bask in the glow of a genuine and friendly welcome.
Full of history, this land is permeated with ancient traditions and a considerable artistic and cultural patrimony unknown to most. It could be said that there is an inner Abruzzo, stretching from the coast to the hills and the foot of the mountains, waiting to be discovered by a tourist familiar only with sea, the sun and the snowfields.
The beauty of nature in Abruzzo emerges to the full in Abruzzo, from the sea to mountain.
In summer the mountains of Abruzzo have a special appeal, thanks to the National Parks, protected areas and nature oasis, where chamois, lynx, eagles and bears live.
The Abruzzo National Park is a nature reserve which more than any other feature contributes to the natural beauty of the region.
Founded in 1923 with the aim of protecting the local flora and fauna cover today 44.000 hectares.
From the botanical point of view, the Park is characterized by its extensive forests which represent a particularly precious heritage.
The camosciara is a group of peaks not very great in height but which have an unusually Alpine aspect, rocky and barren and it is famous as the habitat and shelter
of one of the animals which symbolize the Park, that is the Abruzzo chamois.
Though its numbers are smaller than the chamois, the true animal emblem of the Abruzzo National Park is the Marsican Brown Bear, a medium-sized predominantly vegetarian planti-grade of which there survive about one hundred.
The Wolf too, like the Bear, survive about two dozen in the Park. Their shadowy and wary presence is all part of the atmosphere of solitude in the woods.
The Abruzzo National park offers the tourist who likes walking, and has a minimum of training, vast possibilities for excursions and only those who travel the paths and tracks can understand the true nature and discover the secrets of a protected area, where the preservation of the flora and fauna prohibits motor vehicles and cable-ways.
Connected to the mountain by a number of river valleys, the coast has recently added tourism to its original fishing activities.
The lands to discover are one of the most suggestive landscape in Abruzzo characterized by vineyards, olive groves and orchards.
Those who like to enjoy the marvellous landscape of the valley can reach ancient small villages that are really a terrace over the sea where you can enjoy a panoramic scenery that extends from the sea to the Appenino.
Abruzzo has a coastline for all tastes: low and sandy beaches that represent the ideal place for families and their children, who love playing safety and they satisfy any requirements for those who like to relax and enjoy at the same time.
Where you can also find typical Mediterranean scrub plants as testimony of an unspoilt nature.
But with some characteristic differences from one place to another; with cliffs, inlets and harbours; beaches flanked by the green hills covered with vine-yards and olive groves and at the same time marked by fashionable nightclubs and tours.
Among others, the harbour of Teramo is a modern point of reference of Abruzzo, an eloquent example of many opportunities offered by a region that boasts a fascinating natural environment that throughout the year is the scene of countless artistic, cultural and traditional events.
Don’t forget to visit in Atri an erosion furrows, known in the past as “bolge”, which is Dante’s word for pits or ridegs and formed through the slow erosion of the clay soil. The visitors can have short walks around the erosion furrows and see the spectacular geological formations.
Monuments and arts in Abruzzo
Abruzzo contains numerous works of art
The history of Abruzzo is linked to its position of centrality and transit which has facilitated contact with other regions over the centuries but has also encouraged, because of the locations of many mountain settlements, the isolation and spirit of autonomy of the inhabitants. Abruzzo has been inhabited since the most distant times, and numerous excavations have brought to light a great amount of material from all the prehistoric eras. The harshness of the land, the many shelters and caves, the richness of the wildlife, allowed prehistoric man to leave lasting traces of his presence, at least of his economy and industry.
Abruzzo is an ancient land that bears the signs, artistic and non, of the historical events that have affected it and the peoples that have lived there. One example is to be found in the Sanctuary of Ercole Curino, on the slopes of the Morrone, for centuries a place sacred to the tribes of shepherds, today it is a fascinating archaeological site, immersed in a characteristic mountain setting.
The roman presence is seen at Alba Fucens (with the archaeological sites of fJuvanum, Peltuinum and Amiternum), Corfino, Chieti e Sulmona.
Abruzzo’s golden era was the middle ages, especially the time of the monasteries with splendid churches, famous abbeys and numerous castles. Excellent example of a medieval church is San Liberatore, certainly the most complete Romanesque church in Abruzzo.
The Basilica of Collemaggio in L’Aquila, with its white and pink stone façade, was built in 1288 at the instruction of the future pope, Celestino V. In this provincial capital’s old town centre, rich in major examples of secular architecture, is the National museum (Museo Nazionale), arranged in the 16th century castle.
In the province of Chieti, at Fossacesia stands the abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, with severe Burgundian lines; in the capital, San Giustino combines essence of form with Baroque abundance.
At Teramo, the cathedral of San Bernardo fronts the bishop’s palace and presents masterpieces of sacred art among which the silver frontal by Nicola da Guardiagrele.
But undoubtedly is Atri the only one to coin coins before Romans.
The pride of literary Abruzzo is Gabriele D’annunzio (Pescara 1863 – Gardore Riviera 1938) born in a house very near the Pescara river where every day he saw beautiful buxom girls rising their washing and diving into the water laughing and playing together.
In his poems he recalls the walks he made along the Pescara river hand in hand with his beloved mother, he describes the town he loved, love affair… Abruzzo represents the ideal place where to live or spend holidays in contact with nature, art and genuine cuisine, thanks to the comfortable and modern touristic structures.
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