ITINERARIES *

Atri and its Natural Regional Reserve : distance 4 km
Set on a hill and not far from the Adriatic Sea, the town preserves a relevant architectural and artistic heritage. Highlights: the wonderful Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral with the greatest Renaissance cycle of paintings in Abruzzo, the Chapter-house Museum and the cloister. Also the church of S. Nicola, the church S. Agostino, the church S. Andrea and the palace of the Dukes of Acquaviva deserve a visit. Don’t miss the panorama from the Belvedere. Just outside Atri, it is possible to visit the protected area, recently established as a Natural Reserve (2 km) characterised by typical erosion furrows, caused by wind and water. A way from the nearby “Colle della Giustizia” enables visitors to go on short walks around the erosion furrows.

Città S.Angelo: distance km 30
Going back to the road Nazionale Adriatica Nord (direction Pescara), at a short distance from the exit “Pescara Nord” of A 25 highway, it is possible to reach the small town of Città S.Angelo. This nice and artistic town preserves a series of ancient churches, among which the Collegiata di S. Michele Arcangelo, S.Francesco and S.Agostino. Beautiful panoramic view from the Belvedere.

Loreto Aprutino - Penne: maximum distance km 40
Get to Montesivano through via Nazionale Adriatica Nord (direction Pescara) and take via Vestina on the right. The town centre of Loreto Aprutino is all concentrated around Via del Baio, lined with fine buildings of 19th century. Places of interest: the Abbey of S. Pietro Apostolo, the beautiful pottery collection in the Acerbo Museum and the Antiquarium. Highlights: the nearby church of S. Maria in Piano, with beautiful cycle of frescoes dating back to the 15th century Not far from Loreto Aprutino, Penne is an artistic town. Places to see: church of S. Agostino, S. Massimo Cathedral with interesting frescoes in the crypt and the close Museo Civico Diocesano. Highlight: Archaeological Museum “G.B. Leopardi”.

Coastal Itinerary: Giulianova – Roseto -Pineto - Silvi Marina: maximum distance km 50.
From road Nazionale Adriatica Nord it is possible to reach several bathing resorts:
Silvi Marina: the sandy beach and the town situated on a high position, with a panoramic view on the sea, are both worth visiting.
Pineto: pleasant place thanks to a shady beach with Mediterranean vegetation and huge pine-woods reaching all the way down to the sand; the medieval Torre di Cerrano, close to the town deserves a stop.
Roseto degli Abruzzi: the local Art Museum Civica Raccolta d’arte and the nearby ancient village Montepagano are to be recommended for the panoramic view on the sea and remains of the ancient fortified village
Giulianova: the interesting town is still characterised by a plan dating back to the 15th century; places to see: the church of San Flaviano on the highest part of the town, the local museums Pinacoteca Civica and Museum of Contemporay Art (MAS) and the belvedere.

From the Vomano river valley to Gran Sasso Mountain: max distance 50 km
Take the way SS 150 from Roseto and drive through rolling hills and nice artistic villages all close to each other.
Set against the backgrounds of Gran Sasso Mountain are the beautiful church S. Maria di Propezzano (village Morro d’Oro), and the nearby church S. Clemente al Vomano (village Guardia Vomano), both built in the medieval Romanesque style and real art treasures.
Castelbasso: the evocative ancient village, recently restored, becomes the place, in August, of contemporary art exhibitions and open-air theatre performances.
Worth a detour to the Mavone river valley (follow the direction Isola del Gran Sasso and Castelli) to see the beautiful church S. Maria di Ronzano (village Castel Castagna), with remarkable medieval frescos .
Castelli: set in a very panoramic position, at the foot of the Camicia Mountain (north side of Gran Sasso Mountain), the village is particularly renowned for the tradition of artistic pottery.
The local Museum of the Pottery and the interesting Church of S. Donato, characterised by a beautiful ceiling all decorated with its typical pottery.
Isola del Gran Sasso: set in the green of the mountains, the village deserves a stop for the medieval church S.Giovanni ad Insulam and for the ruins of the Castle, built on a rocky spur.

Teramo: distance 40 km
History has left an important trace in the beauty of the Romanesque style Cathedral, of a great artistic value. The city centre, which its remarkable buildings, preserves interesting remains of the ancient Roman theatre and amphitheatre.

Campli: distance 52 km
The village still preserves historical heritages dating back to Middle-Ages and Renaissance, such as the churches S. Maria in Platea and S. Giovanni Battista; the Archaeological Museum, among the most important of the region, displays findings from a very important pre-roman cemetery brought to light in the surroundings.

Civitella del Tronto:distance km 40
Leaning out of the rivers Vibrata and Salinello valleys and almost at the foot of the so called “Twin Mountains”, the small town preserves an extraordinary fortress with a wonderful panoramic view overlooking the mountains of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.

For further information about the numerous excursion in the protected area of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park visit the site www.gransassolagapark.it

Gran Sasso Mountain and Plain of Navelli:distance 98 km
This itinerary stretches out along the road SS n.17 (exit Bussi-Popoli, motorway A25), by the southern side of Gran Sasso.
The whole territory has an extraordinary mixture of archaeological and artistic patrimony and treasures of nature : the historical villages of Calascio with its stronghold and S. Stefano di Sessanio; the two churches of Bominaco, S. Maria Assunta and San Pellegrino, both of rare beauty; the plateau of Campo Imperatore, situated at the altitude of 1800 metres, with its breathtaking landscapes.
The road SS 17 ends in L’Aquila, the main administrative centre of the region which gathers the most important witnesses of the Abruzzo’s architecture and rich in artistic treasures (churches S. Maria di Collemaggio and S.Bernardino, the local Castle and the medieval fountain).


* the distances are to be considered approximately calculated from the spot Villa Ferretti.