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Region of Italy
Flag of Abruzzo
Coat of arms of Abruzzo
Coat of arms
Abruzzo in Italy.svg
Country Italy
Capital L'Aquila
 • President Luciano D'Alfonso (Democratic)
 • Total 10,763 km2 (4,156 sq mi)
Population (2012-10-30)
 • Total 1,307,919
 • Density 120/km2 (310/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Abruzzan(s) / Abruzzese / Abruzzesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
GDP/ Nominal €28.7[1] billion (2008)
GDP per capita €21,400[2] (2008)
Website www.regione.abruzzo.it

Abruzzo (pronounced [aˈbruttso]) is a region of Italy, with an area of 10,763 square km (4,156 sq mi) and a population of 1.3 million. Its western border lies 80 km (50 mi) east of Rome. The region is divided into the four provinces of L'Aquila, Teramo, Pescara, and Chieti. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east. Geographically, Abruzzo is divided into a mountainous area to the west, which includes the Gran Sasso D'italia, and a coastal area to the east with beaches on the Adriatic sea. Abruzzo is considered culturally, linguistically, and historically a region of Southern Italy, although geographically it may also be considered central.[3] The Italian Statistical Authority (ISTAT) deems it to be part of Southern Italy, partially because of Abruzzo's historic association with the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.[3]

Abruzzo is known as "the greenest region in Europe" as one third of its territory, the largest in Europe,[4] is set aside as national parks and protected nature reserves: there are three national parks, one regional park, and 38 protected nature reserves. These ensure the survival of 75% of Europe's living species including rare species, such as the small wading dotterel, golden eagle, Abruzzo chamois, Apennine wolf, and Marsican brown bear.[5] Abruzzo is also home to Calderone, Europe's southernmost glacier.[6]

Visiting nineteenth-century Italian diplomat and journalist Primo Levi said that “forte e gentile” (strong and gentle) best describes the beauty of the region and the character of its people. "Forte e gentile" has since become the motto of the region and its inhabitants.[7]

Provinces and politics[edit]

Abruzzo provinces


Abruzzo is divided into four administrative provinces:

Chieti 2,588 396,190 153.1
L'Aquila 5,034 308,876 61.3
Pescara 1,225 318,701 260.1
Teramo 1,948 308,769 158.5


Main article: Politics of Abruzzo


Cathedral of Madonna del Ponte, Lanciano
The Roman site Amiternum
Castello Caldora, Vasto
View of Pacentro

Humans have inhabited Abruzzo since Neolithic times. A skeleton from Lama dei Peligni in the province of Chieti has been radiometrically dated to 6,540 bp.[8] The name Abruzzo appears to derive from the Latin "Aprutium", although in Roman times the region was known at various times as Picenum, Sabina et Samnium, Flaminia et Picenum and Campania et Samnium.[9] This region was known as Aprutium in the Middle Ages arising from four possible sources: it is a corruption of Praetutium, or rather of the name of the people Praetutii, applied to their chief city, Interamnaes, the old Teramo.[10]





Giulianova seaside


Flora and fauna[edit]



The natural parks of the region include the Abruzzo National Park,[15] the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park,[16] the Maiella National Park[17] and the Sirente-Velino Regional Park,[18] as well as numerous others natural reserves and protected areas.[19]



Montepulciano grapes.


Travel poster from the 1920s.


In the past decade, tourism has increased, in particular concerning internal and European arrivals. Abruzzo is world famous for his wildlife parks (Abruzzo National Park, Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, Maiella National Park) and regional park (Sirente Velino) and 38 protected areas between oasis, regional reserves and state reserves and also in the inland mountainous region has several ski resorts equipped; also coastal tourism and resort is very developed, in particular be mentioned the Trabocchi Coast, a very picturesque stretch of coastline known for the ancient fishing machines that can still be seen by tourists. Abruzzo's wealth of castles and medieval towns, especially around the town of L'Aquila, has earned it in some quarters the nickname of "Abruzzoshire", by analogy with the "Chiantishire", nickname sometimes used to refer to the Chianti area of Tuscany, but Abruzzo is still off the beaten path for most visitors to Italy.[27]


Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1861 858,000 —    
1871 906,000 +5.6%
1881 946,000 +4.4%
1901 1,070,000 +13.1%
1911 1,116,000 +4.3%
1921 1,131,000 +1.3%
1931 1,168,000 +3.3%
1936 1,202,000 +2.9%
1951 1,277,000 +6.2%
1961 1,206,000 −5.6%
1971 1,167,000 −3.2%
1981 1,218,000 +4.4%
1991 1,249,000 +2.5%
2001 1,262,000 +1.0%
2011 1,343,000 +6.4%
Source: ISTAT 2001

Although the population density of Abruzzo has increased over the last decades, it is still well below the Italian national average: in 2008, 123.4 inhabitants per km2, compared to 198.8. At the province level, the density is varied: as of 2008 Pescara is the most densely populated with 260.1 inhabitants per km2, whereas L'Aquila is the least densely populated with 61.3 inhabitants per km2, although it has the largest area. After decades of emigration from the region, the main feature of the 1980s is the immigration from third world countries. The population increase is due to the positive net migration, as since 1991 more deaths than births were registered in Abruzzo (except for 1999, when their number was equal).[28] In 2008, the Italian national institute of statistics ISTAT estimated that 59,749 foreign-born immigrants live in Abruzzo, equal to 4.5% of the total regional population.


Main settlements[edit]









There is a significant disparity between the railways of the Abruzzo coast and the inland areas, which badly need modernisation to improve the service, in particular the Rome-Pescara line. Some services have schedules similar to those of a century ago. The situation is so bad that often it is faster to travel by road, normally bus.

Existing railway lines:


Salinello Bridge on the A14





Castel del Monte, one of Abruzzo's little-known hill towns
Cathedral of San Giustino (Chieti)

The most important museum is Museo archeologico nazionale d'Abruzzo in Chieti housing the famed warrior statue Warrior of Capestrano found in a necropolis from 6th century B.C.. Of cultural importance are the Cathedral of Teramo, its archeological museum and the Roman theater, the Castello della Monica, the astronomical Observatory, the famous L'Aquila Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio - with the remains of Pope Celestine V, the Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Santa Maria del Suffragio, the Forte Spagnolo, the 99 Spouts fountain, Gabriele D'Annunzio's house in Pescara, Campli's Scala Sancta and its church, the church of Santissima Annunziata in Sulmona, the cathedrals of Chieti, Lanciano, Guardiagrele, Atri and Pescara along with the castles of Ortona, Celano and Ortucchio.

At L’Aquila‘s Santa Maria di Collemaggio every 28–29 August is celebrated the Perdonanza Celestiniana, remembering the indulgentia, issued by Pope Celestine V to any who, "truly repentant and confessed" would visit that Church from the vespers of the vigil to the vispers of the 29th August.[31] Sulmona’s Holy Week is commemorated with big traditional celebrations and rituals, such as 'La Madonna che Scappa in Piazza', where a huge statue of the Madonna, carried by a group of Sulmonesi part of Confraternities, runs through the square towards her Son resurrected.[32] At Cocullo, in the province of L’Aquila, is yearly held the 'Festa dei serpari' in which the patron saint's statue covered by snakes is transported in a procession, it attracts thousands of both Italian and foreign visitors. In many Abruzzo villages in January is celebrated the Anthony the Great's feast with massive and scenic bonfires.[33] In the past, the region of Abruzzo was well known for the transumanza, the migratory movement of sheep principally south to the region of Puglia during the cold winter months.[34] The Feast of St. Biagio, the protector of the throat and of wool dealers, is the most widespread in Abruzzo. One of the most interesting and engaging rites takes place on February 3rd in Taranta Peligna where every year since the sixteenth century an evocative ritual is carried out, entailing the distribution of "panicelle", that are small loaves, made of flour and water, in the shape of a blessing hand, which are distributed to the faithful. Between the province of Teramo and L’Aquila, under the Gran Sasso Tunnel are found the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso(LNGS) of the INFN, one of the three underground astroparticle laboratories in Europe. Interamnia World Cup the largest international youth handball competition worldwide takes place on a yearly basis in Teramo. It will reach its 42nd edition in July 2014.[35]


American artists and celebrities such as Madonna, Michael Bublé, Dean Martin, Bradley Cooper, Perry Como, Henry Mancini, Nancy Pelosi, Rocky Marciano, Rocky Mattioli, Bruno Sammartino, Mario Batali, John and Dan Fante, Tommy Lasorda, Dan Marino have publicly boased their Abruzzo origins. Important international movies shot in Abruzzo include George Clooney‘s The American, Jean-Jacques Annaud's The name of the Rose, Fellini's La Strada and I Vitelloni, Schwarzenegger's Red Sonja, Ladyhawke, King David, Francesco, Keoma, The Barbarians, The Fox and the Child and Krull.

Medieval and Renaissance hill towns[edit]

The fortress of Civitella is the most visited monument in Abruzzo
View of Casoli
Roccascalegna fortress
Medieval village of Scanno


The duomo of San Flaviano, centre of the ideal city design of Giulia.

In the last twenty years, studies showed Giulia (the name of the city founded in 1471 by Giulio Antonio Acquaviva) was an example of Renaissance ideal city, following the experiment of Pienza (1462), and the new theaching of Leon Battista Alberti and Francesco Di Giorgio Martini. It's thought the project was realized by Baccio Pontelli in a first time and the same Francesco Di Giorgio Martini in a second, because of the bond between the founder of Giulia and the most important courts of the time (Urbino in specific). But these names has been retracted and studies are underway.[40]




Campus of University "Gabriele d'Annunzio"

There are three universities in the Abruzzo region:






"Arrosticini" of Pescara valley
"Spaghettoni alla chitarra" of Teramo
"Sise delle Monache" from Guardiagrele

Renowned for its variety and richness due to the heterogeneity of its territory, Abruzzo's cuisine is among the best in Italy. In 2013 an Italian organization Confesercenti survey of foreign tourists showed that Abruzzo is the best Italian region to eat in.[44] Both the agricultural and coastal aspects of Abruzzo have contributed to its cuisine. Due to the mountains, much of Abruzzo was isolated from international influence until the 20th century. As a result, the region’s cuisine remained unique.[45]

Popular dishes[edit]

One of the most popular regional dishes is maccheroni alla chitarra which is made by pressing or cutting pasta through a chitarra, an implement to form long thin noodles similar to spaghetti. The pasta is served with a tomato-based sauce, often flavored with peppers, pork, goose, or lamb. This dish is complimented by regional side dishes, such as the bean and noodle soup, sagne e fagioli. This soup is traditionally flavored with tomatoes, garlic, oil, and peperoncini.

Other popular dishes include:


  • Arrosticini, a skewered lamb dish
  • Lamb cooked whole in a bread oven
  • Agnello cacio e ovo, a lamb-based fricassee

Seafood is also popular, especially in coastal areas. The variety of fish available to the area has resulted in several fish-based Brodetti (broths), coming from such places as Vasto, Giulianova, and Pescara. These broths are often made by cooking fish, flavored with tomatoes, herbs, and peperoncino, in an earthenware pot. Rustic pizzas are also very common. Some of these are:




The sweets of Abruzzo are world famous and include:

  • Confetti, sugar-coated almonds, from Sulmona
  • Torrone Nurzia, a chocolate nougat from L'Aquila
  • Croccante, a type of nougat made from almonds and caramelized suger, often flavored with lemon[46]
A Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine labelled as being made from old vines.

Olive oil[edit]


Wines and liquors[edit]

Renowned wines like Montepulciano DOCG and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC are judged to be amongst the world’s finest.[48] In 2012 a bottle of Trebbiano d'Abruzzo ranked #1 in the top 50 Italian wine award.[49]

The region is also well known for the production of liquors such as Centerbe, Limoncello, Ratafia and Genziana.



  3. ^ a b Paradosso evidenziato da Ignazio Silone, cfr. Costantino Felice (2010). "Quadri ambientali e identità regionale". In Donzelli. Le trappole dell'identità: l'Abruzzo, le catastrofi, l'Italia di oggi. Rome. p. 41. ISBN 978-88-6036-436-4. Retrieved 3 September 2012. 
  5. ^ "Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo Lazio e Molise - Natura - Fauna". 
  6. ^ "I parchi in Abruzzo". 
  7. ^ "Abruzzo: Forte e Gentile, definizione di Primo Levi, giornalista e diplomatico, nel sito di vastospa". 
  10. ^ "Italy Guide: Abruzzo Region". Comuni-Italiani.it. 
  11. ^ http://www.abruzzoturismo.it/img/depliant/en_AmbienteNatura.pdf
  12. ^ ://www.lifeinabruzzo.com/abruzzo-annual-weather-forecast/
  13. ^ a b c "The Region Abruzzo". 
  14. ^ "Region Abruzzo". Immobiliare Caserio resources. 
  16. ^ [1][dead link]
  17. ^ [2][dead link]
  18. ^ [3][dead link]
  19. ^ [4][dead link]
  24. ^ "Abruzzo and Sicily: Catching up and lagging behind, EIB Papers vol. 5, No. 1 (2000)" (PDF). Retrieved 22 April 2010. 
  27. ^ "Abruzzo". Italian Tourism Official Website. 
  32. ^ "IN SULMONA, EASTER DRAMA IN THE PIAZZA". The New York Times. 7 April 1985. 
  33. ^ Delicious Italy Team. "Delicious Italy Easter in Sulmona". 
  34. ^ http://www.abruzzomoliseheritagesociety.org/TRATTURIeTRANSUMANZA.pdf
  35. ^ "Interamnia World Cup". 
  36. ^ "This page has been removed - News - The Guardian". the Guardian. 
  37. ^ "I Borghi più belli d'Italia". 
  38. ^ "Serenissimi e borbonici insieme per disfare l'Italia". 
  39. ^ "Shrine of Saint Gabriele dell’Addolorata – Isola del Gran Sassoo". turismo.provincia.teramo.it. 
  40. ^ http://www.giulianovaweb.it/la-citta-ideale.html
  42. ^ Kathleen Peddicord. "World’s Top 21 Retirement Havens". Live and Invest Overseas. 
  43. ^ "Harvard Summer Program in Umbria and Abruzzo, Italy". 
  44. ^ "È l’Abruzzo la regione dove si mangia meglio - Bompensa Oleificio e Azienda Agricola". Bompensa Oleificio e Azienda Agricola. 
  45. ^ "Abruzzo". MarioBatali.com. 
  48. ^ http://www.winecountry.it/regions/

See also[edit]

External links[edit]