The itinerary winds through beautiful landscapes and enchanting villages, from the hills to the Teramo coast, where the rich and varied offerings of producers alternate with history, ancient traditions and breathtaking views.
We start in Castellalto, a town that boasts the peculiarity of having two centres, Castellalto and Castelbasso. The town was founded around the Year 1000, although there are traces of settlements from the Italic and Roman periods.
A walk through its historical centre will lead you to the imposing Town Hall, which preserves the gateway to the town and part of the city walls, remains that will take you back to its 19th-century origins. As you look out from the Belvedere, you will feel like you own the world: from here, your view will sweep over the Teramo hills, the plains and the sea.
The small village of Castelbasso, the older of the two centres, is very picturesque. It was founded in the 11th century, as attested by the Chronicon Casauriense, with a church and a castle, and enlarged in the 15th century according to defence techniques against weapons such as cannons. It retains its medieval layout thanks to its well-preserved ancient fortified walls and the two gates that open onto the wall: a dive into the past amidst palaces, alleys and dates engraved on the walls, traces of a glorious past.
We start in Castellalto, a town that boasts the peculiarity of having two centres, Castellalto and Castelbasso. The town was founded around the Year 1000, although there are traces of settlements from the Italic and Roman periods.
A walk through its historical centre will lead you to the imposing Town Hall, which preserves the gateway to the town and part of the city walls, remains that will take you back to its 19th-century origins. As you look out from the Belvedere, you will feel like you own the world: from here, your view will sweep over the Teramo hills, the plains and the sea.
The small village of Castelbasso, the older of the two centres, is very picturesque. It was founded in the 11th century, as attested by the Chronicon Casauriense, with a church and a castle, and enlarged in the 15th century according to defence techniques against weapons such as cannons. It retains its medieval layout thanks to its well-preserved ancient fortified walls and the two gates that open onto the wall: a dive into the past amidst palaces, alleys and dates engraved on the walls, traces of a glorious past.
Continue your discovery of these territories by stopping in Bellante. The village, an ancient feud of the Acquaviva family, one of the major houses of the Kingdom of Naples, has medieval origins, as demonstrated by many evidence visible as you walk through the town.
Pass through the entrance gate to the fortified village, built in the 12th century, and under the imposing Civic Tower that serves the dual function of tower and bell tower for the Church of Santa Croce and Santa Maria della Misericordia, which stands out for its terracotta façade and 16th-century stone portal. On its top you will see an imposing weathervane with the initials of the cardinal points, the symbol of the cross and the town’s coat of arms with the inscription ‘Universitas Bellanti’.
It is worth visiting the hamlet of Ripattoni, another place rich in historical references, with the remains of a 14th-century castle, with its mighty quadrangular stone and brick tower, visible for several kilometres, and Palazzo Saliceti, home to a small municipal theatre, on whose upper floors there are frescoed halls depicting mythological and allegorical scenes of classical deities.
In the heart of Ripattoni, stands the TO KE House Museum, covered with mosaics all hand-cut by the artist TO KE, making it a unique place in Abruzzo.
Continue your discovery of these territories by stopping in Bellante. The village, an ancient feud of the Acquaviva family, one of the major houses of the Kingdom of Naples, has medieval origins, as demonstrated by many evidence visible as you walk through the town.
Pass through the entrance gate to the fortified village, built in the 12th century, and under the imposing Civic Tower that serves the dual function of tower and bell tower for the Church of Santa Croce and Santa Maria della Misericordia, which stands out for its terracotta façade and 16th-century stone portal. On its top you will see an imposing weathervane with the initials of the cardinal points, the symbol of the cross and the town’s coat of arms with the inscription ‘Universitas Bellanti’.
It is worth visiting the hamlet of Ripattoni, another place rich in historical references, with the remains of a 14th-century castle, with its mighty quadrangular stone and brick tower, visible for several kilometres, and Palazzo Saliceti, home to a small municipal theatre, on whose upper floors there are frescoed halls depicting mythological and allegorical scenes of classical deities.
In the heart of Ripattoni, stands the TO KE House Museum, covered with mosaics all hand-cut by the artist TO KE, making it a unique place in Abruzzo.
The third stop on our itinerary is Giulianova. In the Middle Ages, the town was known as Castel San Flaviano, which became the county of the Acquaviva family in the 14th century.
During the war for the crown of the South, the old core was completely destroyed and Duke Giulio Antonio Acquaviva decided to build a new town, further north than the previous one, giving it his own name.
The old town centre, the first experiment in Renaissance urban foundations in Italy, is surrounded by walls interspersed with towers: you can reach it by taking the scenic Salita Monte Grappa, an ancient access road to the city, with its fountains and antique public wash houses, and then strolling to Piazza della Libertà with its suggestive Belvedere overlooking the sea, 19th-century palaces and the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.
To enhance the beauty of Giulianova, a library and museum system of great importance: it includes the “Torrione La Rocca” Archaeological Civic Museum, which was part of the town walls and preserves valuable artefacts from the Roman era; the ‘Gaetano Braga’ Civic Museum, built in the second half of the 19th century by the renowned cellist and composer from Giulianova; the ‘Vincenzo Bindi’ Civic Art Gallery, the ‘R. Pagliaccetti’ Civic Sculpture Hall, which houses works by the artist, and the ‘de’ Bartolomei Chapel, a 19th-century aristocratic chapel that houses some works by the Giulianova artist Alfonso Tentarelli.
The third stop on our itinerary is Giulianova. In the Middle Ages, the town was known as Castel San Flaviano, which became the county of the Acquaviva family in the 14th century.
During the war for the crown of the South, the old core was completely destroyed and Duke Giulio Antonio Acquaviva decided to build a new town, further north than the previous one, giving it his own name.
The old town centre, the first experiment in Renaissance urban foundations in Italy, is surrounded by walls interspersed with towers: you can reach it by taking the scenic Salita Monte Grappa, an ancient access road to the city, with its fountains and antique public wash houses, and then strolling to Piazza della Libertà with its suggestive Belvedere overlooking the sea, 19th-century palaces and the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.
To enhance the beauty of Giulianova, a library and museum system of great importance: it includes the “Torrione La Rocca” Archaeological Civic Museum, which was part of the town walls and preserves valuable artefacts from the Roman era; the ‘Gaetano Braga’ Civic Museum, built in the second half of the 19th century by the renowned cellist and composer from Giulianova; the ‘Vincenzo Bindi’ Civic Art Gallery, the ‘R. Pagliaccetti’ Civic Sculpture Hall, which houses works by the artist, and the ‘de’ Bartolomei Chapel, a 19th-century aristocratic chapel that houses some works by the Giulianova artist Alfonso Tentarelli.
After discovering the wonders of Giulianova, proceed to Martinsicuro, a village of ancient origins that has evidence of human presence dating back to prehistoric times.
Your walk will encompass a charming urban route among churches, palaces and villas. Protecting your path is the watchful eye of the Tower of Charles V, built in 1547 and used both to defend the coast from Saracen incursions and as a customs office. Inside, the Antiquarium Archaeological Museum of Castrum Truentinum houses important archaeological finds from ancient settlements dating back to the Bronze Age.
Another place not to be missed is the Museum of Ancient Weapons, set up in a stately villa, where you can admire hunting weapons and guns dating back to the 17th century, as well as vintage vehicles and carriages, such as the 1820 carriage that carried Giuseppe Garibaldi or the pilot’s helmet that belonged to Gabriele D’Annunzio.
The love for the sea and the traditions that bind it to the town are very tangible in the Ecomuseo del Mare e della Pesca. If you still have time to spare, we suggest you drop by to trace the history of fishing and its noble art in Martinsicuro.
After discovering the wonders of Giulianova, proceed to Martinsicuro, a village of ancient origins that has evidence of human presence dating back to prehistoric times.
Your walk will encompass a charming urban route among churches, palaces and villas. Protecting your path is the watchful eye of the Tower of Charles V, built in 1547 and used both to defend the coast from Saracen incursions and as a customs office. Inside, the Antiquarium Archaeological Museum of Castrum Truentinum houses important archaeological finds from ancient settlements dating back to the Bronze Age.
Another place not to be missed is the Museum of Ancient Weapons, set up in a stately villa, where you can admire hunting weapons and guns dating back to the 17th century, as well as vintage vehicles and carriages, such as the 1820 carriage that carried Giuseppe Garibaldi or the pilot’s helmet that belonged to Gabriele D’Annunzio.
The love for the sea and the traditions that bind it to the town are very tangible in the Ecomuseo del Mare e della Pesca. If you still have time to spare, we suggest you drop by to trace the history of fishing and its noble art in Martinsicuro.
It’s time to reach the final stage of this itinerary: Colonnella. Its territory was once occupied by Truentum, the last stronghold in Italy of the Illyrian people of the Liburni from the current Croatia. With the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the barbarian invasions, Truentum suffered the dismantling of the port and the destruction of the city. The populations took refuge in the hills around the ancient city: thus Colonnella was born.
The ideal walk will take you to its historical centre, which retains its original architectural layout from the early Middle Ages and winds its way through narrow streets, medieval palaces and charming little squares. It is characterised by light-coloured brick construction, well preserved and enhanced. We suggest arriving there by way of the charming Staircase, which has been the emblem of the town since the beginning of the 20th century.
Let yourself be guided by the beauty and don’t miss the Clock Tower, a completely brick construction whose date of construction is uncertain, and the Church of Saints Cyprian and Justina, which overlooks Piazza del Popolo, visible from any direction you enter the town thanks to its high bell tower.
In the historical centre, at the base of the Steps, the Antico lavatoio, dating from the end of the 19th century, will certainly catch your eye. While at the highest point of the village, on the old town wall, the Palazzo Volpi stands out. Inside, among the period furnishings, is still preserved the bed that hosted His Majesty Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies on the night of 23 July 1832, during his visit to the province.
It’s time to reach the final stage of this itinerary: Colonnella. Its territory was once occupied by Truentum, the last stronghold in Italy of the Illyrian people of the Liburni from the current Croatia. With the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the barbarian invasions, Truentum suffered the dismantling of the port and the destruction of the city. The populations took refuge in the hills around the ancient city: thus Colonnella was born.
The ideal walk will take you to its historical centre, which retains its original architectural layout from the early Middle Ages and winds its way through narrow streets, medieval palaces and charming little squares. It is characterised by light-coloured brick construction, well preserved and enhanced. We suggest arriving there by way of the charming Staircase, which has been the emblem of the town since the beginning of the 20th century.
Let yourself be guided by the beauty and don’t miss the Clock Tower, a completely brick construction whose date of construction is uncertain, and the Church of Saints Cyprian and Justina, which overlooks Piazza del Popolo, visible from any direction you enter the town thanks to its high bell tower.
In the historical centre, at the base of the Steps, the Antico lavatoio, dating from the end of the 19th century, will certainly catch your eye. While at the highest point of the village, on the old town wall, the Palazzo Volpi stands out. Inside, among the period furnishings, is still preserved the bed that hosted His Majesty Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies on the night of 23 July 1832, during his visit to the province.
