Area description for Lungomare Marconi

Alba Adriatica

Anciently, the area occupied today by the lively center of Alba Adriatica was an inhospitable marsh, formed through the centuries after the withdrawal of the sea with which reached once up to the hills. And it is on the hills that the early human settlements rose, as witnessed by the many archaeological findings common when excavating foundations of new buildings.
Ager Praetutianus, Hardianus, Palmensis, Castrum Truentinum, Castrum Novum, Alba Picena, Suino and Servio are the names of the towns of the Piceni that were destroyed during the invasions of the early centuries of the Christian Era. Along the coasts anciently the Romans established many "navali", small ports more for military use than for fishing and sometimes used in sea trade. One of these Navali might have been in the territory of Alba Adriatica, near the junction Via Mazzini - Via Roma. Only in the 16th century the first buildings appeared along the coast: they were towers with the purpose to defend the territory from the landings of Turks and Saracens.

An important turning point for Alba was the inauguration in 1863 of the small railway station TORTORETO - NERETO - CONTROGUERRA: several centers rose along the line and the hinterland started to show interest for that Adriatic coast which had been neglected for centuries. The first buildings of a certain beauty however rose only after 1900: Villa Flajani, Villa Tonelli, Villa Ranalli, Villa Ricci and Villa Crescenzi. Avenues Vittoria and Margherita were opened in the 1930's. The only important road was the current Via Roma. Up to 1956 the sea front was only a white gravely street. Then the first hotels appeared, and little by little in the last decades Alba has become one of the favorite seaside resorts for Italians and foreign tourists, thanks to the wide, clean sand beaches, the game parks for children and teenagers, the glamorous night life.

Teramo

Teramo is situated near the confluence of the Vezzole torrent with the Tordino River (that's why the Latin name of Interamnia, between rivers), and is a very old city, founded in pre-Roman time, though the general aspect is more recent, due to many XIX-XX century buildings. Since for a long time it was a border place between the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Church State, it acquired a really special identity and, because of the difficult communications with the other parts of the country, it stayed isolated for long periods of time.
The Gran Sasso tunnel recently allowed Teramo to get out of its isolation. Two great monuments, not far away from each other, are almost the symbols of the town and its history: the majestic Cathedral, built in 1158 by Guido II, and the Roman theatre, built about 30 B.C., where still today sports and cultural events take place. The summer calendar of events is very rich with for example the Teramo Literary Prize and the Interamnia Handball Cup, an international event with athletes coming from all over the world. This town The economy of the town is mostly based on activities connected with agriculture and commerce, as well as a sound industrial sector: textiles, foods, engineering, building materials and ceramics. Founded by the population of Praetutii, the town was known in ancient times as 'Interamnia' (`between the rivers'). An important Municipium in Roman times, it rapidly declined after the fall of the Empire and, following Goth and Byzantine domination, became part of the territories of the Lombard Duchy of Spoleto. In 1156 it was put on fire by Norman Count Roberto di Loretello and then rebuilt thanks to Bishop Guido II. In the XIV and XV centuries it was plagued by feuds between local families which finally ended under the Aragonese dominion. After that it shared the fortunes of the Kingdom of Naples. It was united with Italy in 1860.

Marche/Abruzzo

Abruzzo and Marche do not have to boast about their timeless beauty – it is self-evident to any lucky traveller, who stumbles across them and, once visited, we are sure that you will be tempted to return time and again.

In Abruzzo, the scenery is spectacular with mountains so high that you will look down on lakes of cloud, textured, fluffy and seemingly tangible. The silence is so deep that it is only broken by bees humming, birds singing or cowbells tinkling. You will be reminded of Tibet, with layers of snow-capped mountains stretching far into the distance. There are National Parks, mountains and open, lush, green valleys, with birds and wildlife so rare that we usually only dream about them. You will see amazing rocky gorges and canyons, with sheer rock faces overhanging, and rivers with rapids and waterfalls tumbling powerfully to the bottom. There are 500 huge castles; mountain towns, winding upwards to beautiful churches or squares; remote hermitages, built into towering cliffs - a unique and intriguing region.

At the beginning of the last century, Abruzzo had 500,000 people and 8 million sheep! Today, the population of only 1½ million is largely based along the coastal strip, which relies on mainly Italian tourism, with some thriving resorts, especially popular in the height of summer.

The rural interior of Abruzzo bases its life around the traditions of farming and wine making. It can seem like stepping back in time, in many of the little towns and villages, which huddle at the foot of the towering Gran Sasso, the highest peak in the Apennines. L’Aquila and Sulmona are famous towns, full of character and atmosphere. Celano is quaint and photogenic, dominated by a massive castle and mountains. Loreto Aprutino’s mediaeval cobbled streets spiral up to its castle. The historic Citta Sant’Angelo clings to a hill, and has spectacular views of the Abruzzo countryside.

Once one region, it may seem difficult to distinguish differences between Abruzzo and the equally charming Marche and they are often similar. High peaks of the Apennines give way to gentler hills, and the fascinating towns are scattered around a very rural landscape.

The people of Abruzzo are amazingly friendly. British travellers are not a common sight and will be welcomed with sincere hospitality and a sort of amazed gratitude that “at last” this land is being appreciated for the joys it has to offer.

All Italians know that Abruzzo is a region, famous for its food, and you will never eat better. Couple that with the extraordinary wines of the region and you will be in for a gastronomic delight.

We really cannot praise Abruzzo too highly. Any time of year, on any number of levels, we know that you will fall in love with Abruzzo.