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Abruzzo

Population: 1.276.040
Surface (Kmq): 10795
Density (Inhabitants/Kmq.): 118
Main City: L'Aquila (AQ)
Other towns: Chieti (CH); Pescara (PE); Teramo (TE).

Abruzzo, where the north of Italy meets the south, is one of the most unspoilt and beautiful regions in the country. Bordered by the Apennines to the west and fringed by the Adriatic on the east, it has some of Italy’s most unspoiled scenery. In the Gran Sasso it has the highest mountain of the Apennine range. From the top of the Gran Sasso it is possible to see both the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian (Mediterranean) Seas, across the entire width of Italy.
This region boasts an attractive coastline: flat with golden beaches from Martinsicuro to Francavilla, it suddenly turns rocky with cliffs, bays and little harbours from San Vito to Vasto.
You could journey through the Abruzzo’s valleys for days, never encountering another person, and when you travel up to the broad mountain plains of the Abruzzi, you’ll meet the eerie sight of entire abandoned hill towns.

 


L’Aquila and the Gran Sasso
The town of L’Aquila sits at the entrance to the Gran Sasso national park and acts as a gateway to the region's ski resorts. At the foot of the Gran Sasso itself, the town was founded by German Emperor Frederick II in 1242 when he pulled the people of 99 local villages together to form a new town. Each village had its own part of town, each with its own piazza and church. Only two of the churches remain, though the town hall bell chimes 99 times every night.

Abruzzo's castles
Start at the fairytale castle of L'Aquila, then explore more than two dozen more within 35 miles of the city, including Ocre, Celano, Castel di Ieri, Gagliano Aterno and Fontecchio.

Others
Rolling, olive-planted hills give way to the calanchi, smooth clay gullies, creating a dreamlike landscape. And finally the hilltop town of Atri, with its museums, cathedrals and marvellous frescoes.

The Corno Grande
The highest mountain in the Gran Sasso massif .