Abruzzo, historically known as Abruzzi, is a region of Southern Italy with an area of 10,763 square km and a population of 1.3 million. It is divided into four provinces: L'Aquila, Teramo, Pescara, and Chieti. Its western border lies 80 km (50 mi) east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and north-west, Molise to the south and the Adriatic Sea to the east. Geographically, Abruzzo is divided into a mountainous area in the west, which includes the highest massifs of the Apennines, such as the Gran Sasso d'Italia and the Maiella, and a coastal area in the east with beaches on the Adriatic Sea.
The province of L'Aquila is the largest, most mountainous and least densely populated province of the Abruzzo region of Italy. It comprises about half the landmass of Abruzzo and occupies the western part of the region. It has borders with the provinces of Teramo to the north, Pescara and Chieti to the east, Isernia to the south and Frosinone, Rome and Rieti to the west. Its capital is the city of L'Aquila.
The province of Chieti is a province in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Its provincial capital is the city Chieti, which has a population of 50,770 inhabitants. The province has a total population of 387,649 inhabitants as of 2017 and spans an area of 2,599.58 square kilometres (1,003.70 sq mi). The province contains 104 comuni. Its provincial president is Mario Pupillo.
Penne is an Italian town in the province of Pescara, in the Abruzzo region, in mid-southern Italy. According to the last census in 2014 the population was 12,451. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia.
Pescocostanzo is a comune and town of 1038 inhabitants in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is a tourist destination, attracting people from all over Italy due to its landscape and environment. It is part of the Maiella National Park and is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia. In winter, Pescocostanzo is a destination for skiers and snowboarders, and has its own ski resort. The towns of Roccaraso and Rivisondoli are close by.
The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is a natural park in central Italy. Established in 1991, it covers an area of 2,014 square kilometres (778 sq mi), mostly within the provinces of Teramo, L'Aquila, and Pescara in Abruzzo, with small areas in the provinces of Rieti in Lazio and Ascoli Piceno in Marche. The terrain is predominantly mountainous with alpine plains.
Ventricina is a dry fermented pork sausage commonly produced in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Its most common artisanal version, ventricina del vastese, from the Vasto area, is made with large pieces of fat and lean pork.
Lago di Scanno is a lake in the Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy. It is located in the Appennino Abruzzese north of Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise. On its southern shore is Scanno and on its northern shore is Villalago. The Sagittario flows out of the lake towards the north. The part of the Sagittario river that flows into the lake from the south is known as the Tasso.
The traditional cuisine of Abruzzo is eclectic, drawing on pastoral, mountain, and coastal cuisine. Staples of Abruzzo cuisine include bread, pasta, meat, fish, cheese, and wine. The isolation which has characterized the region for centuries has ensured the independence of its culinary tradition from those of nearby regions. Local cuisine was widely appreciated in a 2013 survey among foreign tourists.
The Trabocchi Coast, which corresponds to the coastal stretch Adriatic of province of Chieti (Abruzzo), is a 70-kilometer coast from Ortona to San Salvo, in Italy. It comprises a number of coves and reefs below the hills that end at the Adriatic Sea marked by the spread of Trabucco – fishing machines on piles. Many of the towns on the Coast maintain their own characteristics and traditions.
Eremo di Sant'Egidio is an hermitage located in Scanno, Province of L'Aquila. It is located on the hill of the same name and dedicated to the Sant'Egidio.
Eremo di Santa Maria del Cauto is an hermitage located in Morino, Province of L'Aquila.
Eremo di Sant'Onofrio al Morrone is an hermitage located in Sulmona, Province of L'Aquila ., dating back to the thirteenth century. A monk by the name of Pietro Angelerio living at this hermitage later became Pope Celestine V. The hermitage is located at an altitude of 620 meters, and can only be reached via a steep path from the village of Badia, on the eastern edge of the Valle Peligna.
Museo delle genti d'Abruzzo is an ethnographic Museum in Pescara, Abruzzo.
Over the years, Abruzzo has become the most industrialized region of southern Italy and has had significant improvements and growth also at an economic level; the region has reached and surpassed many Italian regions in the specialization of the various industrial sectors and today it is the richest of the regions of Southern Italy.
Coregone di Campotosto is a traditional fish dish from the Abruzzo region of Italy, typical of Lake Campotosto, this fish of subalpine origin that has found an ideal habitat in this lake. A request for recognition of native species was made to the Ministry. Thanks also to the very clean waters and selected nutrients, the quality of the whitefish meat is excellent and lends itself very well to the different ways of preparation. The fish is cooked roasted on the grill and then marinated in a preparation of vinegar and with oil and chilli pepper.
Scapece alla vastese is a traditional dish from the Abruzzo region of Italy. In its preparation mackerel and oily fish are used; then, once fried, the fish is immersed in vinegar and saffron which gives it the intense yellow color that characterizes it.
The confetti di Sulmona are Italian candy-coated almonds or dragées, a speciality of the comune (municipality) of Sulmona, in the province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, where the oldest confectionery factory is located. They are commonly given as favors for weddings or other celebrations. Confetti di Sulmona sugar-coated almonds are often wrapped in brightly colored cellophane and arranged into flowers, or other shapes.
Mazzarelle is an ancient recipe typical of the Abruzzo tradition, widespread above all in the mountains, particularly in the Teramo area. It is listed as a prodotto agroalimentare tradizionale (PAT) by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies. Mazzarelle are rolls of lamb offal wrapped in endive leaves tied with casings of the same lamb.
