Abruzzo tourist guide, characteristics of the landscapes represented in the colors of the coat of arms, visit the national parks and the cities.
Abruzzo in short
Abruzzo is an Italian region between the central Apennines and the Adriatic coast.
It includes the provinces of Chieti, L'Aquila, Pescara and Teramo. It borders the Marche to the north, Lazio to the west, Molise to the south, and is bathed by the Adriatic Sea to the east.
The region is mainly mountainous, and welcomes the highest peaks of the Apennines, namely the Corno Grande (2912 m a.s.l.), in the Gran Sasso massif and Monte Amaro (2793 m a.s.l.), in the Maiella massif.
A series of hills runs behind the sandy coast, while inside the mountainous area occupies two thirds of the Abruzzo territory.
These geographical features are reflected in the coat of arms of the Abruzzo region through the arrangement of colors, white, green and blue.
The white represents the snowy peaks, the green, the woods and the hills, the blue, the sea on which this territory overlooks, protected by vast protected areas, including the Abruzzo National Park, Lazio and Molise, the Park Maiella National Park and the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.
In these areas of great naturalistic interest, for their grandiose landscapes, for the flora and fauna they host, it is possible to walk in nature, to savor its silences and majestic beauties.
The cities and towns with their churches, ancient buildings and monuments testify to the history and culture of this land rich in traditions.
Parks in Abruzzo
The Abruzzo National Park, located in the upper Sangro valley, is one of the protected natural areas that most distinguish the region.
Many species of local fauna live in it, including the Marsican bear, the wolf, the chamois, the roe deer and many others.
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The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, which was established in 1991, covers an area of over 140,000 hectares, moreover its territory is largely mountainous and includes the Gran Sasso d'Italia massif and the chain of the Monti della Laga.
The area of the Maiella National Park, which is located around the large Majella massif and the Morrone mountains, has an area of approximately 62,000 hectares with a mainly mountainous conformation.
In 2010 the protected marine area of Torre del Cerrano was distinguished, covering an area of about 37 square kilometers, to protect a particular stretch of sea in Abruzzo where it is possible to admire, a short distance from the coast, the submerged remains of the ancient port of Atri, a natural site of great archaeological and naturalistic interest.
Mountain in Abruzzo
Over half of the Abruzzo region is mountainous, in this region there are some of the major peaks of the Apennine chain including the Gran Sasso and the Maiella.
During the winter season the most popular tourist resorts for skiers are Rivisondoli, Roccaraso and Pescocostanzo.
Sea in Abruzzo
The Abruzzo coast is about 130 km long, the coastal area of the territory of Teramo, is characterized by wide and sandy beaches, while in the area between Ortona and Vasto the coast is high and steep, with beaches delimited by a typical and dense Mediterranean scrub.
There are many seaside resorts, in the summer the preferred destinations are Silvi Marina, Vasto, Ortona, Francavilla al Mare, Giulianova, Roseto degli Abruzzi and Tortoreto.
Other very suggestive places of interest to see, along the Abruzzo coasts, are the Pineta D'Annunziana, a nature reserve located in the southern area of Pescara, and the Trabocchi coast, which is distinguished by the characteristics and ancient fishing machines placed on wooden stilts.
Spas in Abruzzo
Thanks to the numerous thermal water springs, Abruzzo boasts several spas known since ancient times, renowned for curing numerous diseases.
Among the most popular spas are the spas of Raiano, Canistro, Caramanico Terme and the spas of Popoli.
