Abruzzo

Abruzzo - a region between high mountains and the Adriatic coast

Abruzzo is a region in central Italy rich in contrasts, where the high mountains of the Apennines meet the long beaches of the Adriatic coast. The region offers an impressive mix of mountains, valleys, rivers and coastal strips.

The peaks of the Gran Sasso massif tower around 3,000 metres into the sky. While hikers explore the mountains on narrow paths in summer, skiers and snowboarders are drawn to the mountain region in winter.

Abruzzo: Italy's wild centre

Abruzzo is Italy's wild centre. The Gran Sasso massif, the highest mountain range in the Apennines, dominates the region. At an altitude of 2,912 metres, the Corno Grande is the highest mountain in Abruzzo. The Gran Sasso massif welcomes you with a spectacular landscape characterised by deep gorges, torrents and picturesque villages. Golden eagles, chamois, lynx and the protected Apeninn wolf live in the mountain regions, which are difficult to access. The deep forests in the Gran Sasso massif are also one of the last refuges of the brown bear in Europe. Around 100 of these brown giants live in the wild mountain region. The brown bear is the heraldic animal of Abruzzo.

The contrasting Adriatic coast

The Adriatic coast of Abruzzo is around 130 kilometres long. It is divided into two parts and consists of long sandy beaches in the north and steep rocky cliffs in the south. In this region, the Apeninn Mountains reach right up to the water's edge and have created a spectacular coastal landscape with rugged cliffs and enchanting bays. One of the most charming coastal areas in the region is the Costa dei Trabocchi, a breathtaking coastline lined with old fishermen's huts called Trabocchi. The Costa dei Trabocchi is also famous for its fresh seafood and is a favourite destination for visitors who want to enjoy the local cuisine.

Charming towns in Abruzzo

Abruzzo is known for its picturesque towns and villages, often built on hills or riverbanks. One of the most beautiful towns in the region is L'Aquila, the capital of the region. The town was founded in the 13th century and has a charming old town centre surrounded by walls and towers. An architectural highlight is the Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio, a Romanesque church built in the 13th century. Houses in the historic city centre are sought-after properties in Italy.

Another charming town in Abruzzo is Sulmona, the home of the famous Italian poet Ovid. Sulmona is famous for its confetti production and has a picturesque old town centre with narrow streets and historic buildings. Classic holiday resorts on the Adriatic coast are Alba Adriatica, Giulianova and Pineto. If you are looking for holiday accommodation in a holiday home in Italy, you will find what you are looking for in these towns.

Culinary highlights

The traditional cuisine of Abruzzo combines the rural eating habits of the mountain dwellers with the light Mediterranean cuisine of the coastal region. A regional speciality is spaghetti alla chitarra - a pasta dish rolled on a guitar-shaped wooden platter and served with a spicy tomato sauce and sheep's cheese.

Agnello cacio e ovo is heartier. This is a lamb dish cooked in a mixture of eggs and pecorino cheese. A traditional almond cake, often covered in chocolate, is called parrozzo. It is often eaten as a dessert.