Summer parade in Sulmona to start off the Jousting Festival also know as the Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona.
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What is there to do in the area?The small villages of the Abruzzo area celebrate many traditional festivals throughout the year. These festivals are called sagras. You can find a list of the sagras in the Abruzzo area at: http://www.saporiesagre.it/
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The Abruzzo Region |
Much of the Abruzzo region is in national or regional parks. Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo is a large protected area with picturesque hiking and biking trails. Its seven visitor centers have trail maps and information. Guided tours can be arranged in Pescasseroli. Gran Sasso, the highest point in the Apennine Mountains, has hiking trails, spring wildflowers, and winter skiing. The region is dotted with castles, mainly built in the middle ages. While some are just ruins, there are also preserved castles and watchtowers.
Pescasseroli is situated in a wide plain surrounded by a mountainous landscape in the heart of the Abruzzo National Park. Because of its location, Pescasseroli is a tourist resort in summer for hiking and in winter for skiing and ice skating. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was a center of woodworking and sheep raising for centuries. Pescasseroli has ruins of a 13th century castle, churches, and a natural history museum. L'Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region, is a medieval town dating from 1240 in a pretty setting. L'Aquila has a walled historic center with narrow streets and pretty squares. The church of San Bernardino di Siena is a beautiful Renaissance church. Santa Maria di Collemaggio has a pink and white facade, 14th century mosaics, and a Gothic interior. L'Aquila's well-preserved 16th century castle houses the National Museum of the Abruzzo. Sulmona is situated at the confluence of two rivers below the mountains. Sulmona conserves much of its medieval past such as its Cathedral, several churches, its architecture, and a medieval gate and aquaduct. There are also a number of Renaissance buildings, an interesting museum of antiquity, and cultural events. Sulmona has a large, round piazza where locals and tourists enjoy drinks outdoors. Sulmona is famous for its confetti candy, sugared almonds made into floral shapes, and you'll see it in Sulmona's shops. Wool goods from Sulmona are also famous. Famous events in Sumona include the Easter Procession in Spring and the Jousting Tournament in s ummer. Pescara, on the Adriatic coast, is the largest city in the Abruzzo region. Although it was badly bombed during the war, it's now an example of a modern Italian city and still retains some historic elements. Pescara has a seaside promenade, 20 km of sandy beach, great seafood restaurants, and lots of nightlife. The Museum of the Abruzzi People has a huge collection of artifacts about life in the Abruzzo from prehistoric times through the 19th century. Pescara has a few other museums and several churches and buildings, too. In July, Pescara holds an international jazz festival. Pescara is also known for its shopping Corso (street lined with shops) filled with all Italian products. More interesting villages in the Abruzzo Area:
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