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Tourism in Abruzzo | |
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Time zone | UTC+1 (Central European Time) |
Area code | +39 |
Website | Abruzzoturismo Official Page |
Tourism in Abruzzo has become one of the most prosperous sectors in the economy of Abruzzo, and in recent years has seen a remarkable growth attracting numerous tourists from Italy and Europe. [1] According to statistics, in 2021 arrivals totaled 1,330,887. [2] A total of 5,197,765 arrivals were tourists, [2] a figure that puts the region seventeenth among the Italian regions for numbers of tourists per year. A moderate support to tourism is also given to the Abruzzo Airport with many low cost and charter flights connecting the entire region with the rest of Europe. [3]
Abruzzo tourism can basically be divided into three different types: mountain tourism [4] hiking natural which includes numerous ski resorts, nature reserves and protected areas, beach tourism and coastal with the number of resort, hotel, camping and beaches, [5] and finally the art-historical tourism religious and cultural concentrated mostly in mountain villages and historic towns such as l'Aquila, Vasto, Chieti, Teramo, Sulmona and many others. [6]
In January 2016 the online newspaper HuffingtonPost.com has included Abruzzo in its "The World's 12 Best Place to Live or Retire in 2016", [7] writing:
"It's hard to think of a lovelier corner of Italy than the Abruzzo. The beaches are golden, and the sea rolls out like a giant bolt of turquoise silk. There are mountains, too, meaning that, living here, you'd have both skiing and beach-combing on your doorstep, depending on the season. This region is one of Italy's secret treasures"
In 2022 also american travel magazine Travel + Leisure include Abruzzo in 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022 [8] and also others many prestigious foreign magazines in the tourism sector have produced publications on the region in recent years, underlining its great tourist appeal. [9]
In 2023, arrivals were 1.745.373 tourists. [10]
The region currently has 23 active ski resort. [11] [12] They are located in the town of Scanno, [13] Ovindoli, [14] Pescasseroli, [15] Roccaraso, [16] Campo Imperatore, [17] Campo Felice, [18] Rivisondoli, Pescocostanzo [19] and Pianoro Campitelli [20] where winter tourism is highly developed and then you can play sports such as alpine skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ski touring, cross-country skiing and dog sledding. [21] [22] [23] Other trails and facilities are in Passolanciano-Majelletta, [24] Campo Rotondo, [25] Campo di Giove, [26] Piani di pezza, [27] Voltigno, [28] Centomonti, [29] Macchiarvana, [30] Monte Piselli. [31]
Abruzzo is called Europe's greenest region [32] and boasts the presence of three national parks (Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, [33] Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park, [34] Maiella National Park, [35] and regional park Sirente Velino Regional Park) [36] and 38 protected areas between oasis, regional reserves and state reserves. [37] [38] The parks allow tourists hiking and nature activities, leisure activities and holidays such as excursions to the park, horse riding, hiking, cycling, canoeing, rafting, windsurfing, hiking, birdwatching, boating on Lake of Bomba, activities paragliding and hang-gliding and finally tourism resort on Lake of Scanno and Campotosto, [39] in addition to the natural parks of Abruzzo boasts numerous protected areas. [40] [41] [42]
In 2017, the ancient beech forests of the Abruzzo Lazio and Molise National Park of Europe were recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, with the region thus gaining its first prestigious site. [43]
The coast in Abruzzo extends for 129 kilometers, is nationally known as a tourist bathing resorts Montesilvano, [44] Pineto, [45] Roseto degli Abruzzi, [46] Giulianova, [47] Alba Adriatica, [48] Tortoreto, [49] Francavilla al Mare, [50] Ortona, [51] Vasto, [52] Martinsicuro, [53] Silvi Marina, [54] and finally the Trabocchi Coast is not only famous for the sea but also for the ancient fishing machines Abruzzo still visible and can be visited by tourists along the coast, many of these centers, tourist resorts have the privilege and prestige of being appointed Blue Flag beach for water quality and services. With regard to this type of tourism are many activities that you can do: sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing, canoeing, fishing, boating (including jet skiing and water skiing), fishing and underwater photography, scuba diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, golf, mountain biking, cycling, motorcycle racing, motocross and off-road, kayaking. [55] [56] [57]
As for the art-historical and religious tourism cultural, historical and cultural importance are the city of Chieti with Roman ruins, churches, museums (Museo archeologico nazionale d'Abruzzo [58] with inside the Warrior of Capestrano, [59] Teramo (Teramo Cathedral [60] ), Vasto (Palazzo D'Avalos, Castello Caldonesco), Lanciano (Miracle of Lanciano [61] ), Manoppello (Manoppello Image [62] ), Ortona (Basilica-Cathedral of St. Thomas the Apostle with the remains of the saint disciple of Jesus [63] ), Atri (Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta [64] ), Giulianova (Cathedral of San Flaviano [65] ), Sulmona (Sulmona Cathedral), l'Aquila (including the famous Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio [66] - with the remains of Pope Celestine V - severely damaged by the earthquake of 2009), (Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo [67] ), Santa Maria del Suffragio, Forte Spagnolo, Fontana delle 99 cannelle), St. Gabriel's shrine [68] with average of 2 million visitors per year is one of the 15 most visited sanctuaries in the world [69] and others small villages with many monuments, museums, [70] castles [71] and churches [72] of national importance; even though a city Pescara modern, has basilicas, shrines, churches and important museums (Basilica della Madonna dei sette dolori, Madonna del Fuoco, Pescara Cathedral, e Museo casa natale Gabriele D'Annunzio [73] ).
In the interior mountains are ancient villages included, among other things on the list of I Borghi più belli d'Italia [74] (Abbateggio, Anversa degli Abruzzi, Bugnara, Campli, Caramanico Terme, Casoli, Castel del Monte, Castelli, Città Sant'Angelo, Civitella del Tronto whose fortress is the most visited monument in the whole Abruzzo region, [75] Crecchio, Guardiagrele, Introdacqua, Navelli, Opi, Pacentro, Penne, Pescocostanzo, Pettorano sul Gizio, Pietracamela, Pretoro, Rocca San Giovanni, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Scanno, Tagliacozzo, Villalago), castles (in Roccascalegna, Celano, Pacentro, Anversa degli Abruzzi, Avezzano, Balsorano, Villalago, Calascio, Valle Castellana, Monteodorisio, Carpineto Sinello, Crecchio, Civitaluparella, Ortona, Castiglione Messer Marino, Civitella Messer Raimondo, Vasto, Palmoli, Serramonacesca, Salle), hermitages [76] (Sant'Onofrio al Morrone, San Giovanni, San Bartolomeo, etc..), sanctuaries Basilica santuario del Volto Santo di Manoppello, Monastero di Santa Maria in Valle Rotana Convents (Convento del Ritiro della Santissima Annunziata del Poggio, Convento della Madonna del Carmine, Convento di San Francesco (Lanciano), Convento Michetti, Ex Convento di San Donato), abbeys [72] (San Clemente a Casauria, San Liberatore a Majella, San Giovanni in Venere, Abbazia Santa Maria in Montesanto, Abbazia di Santa Lucia, Abbazia di Santa Maria Arabona, Badia Morronese), and old churches [72] (Santa Maria ad Cryptas a Fossa, San Tommaso di Caramanico and others). [77]
The food and wine sector has also been re-evaluated in recent years, with a varied cuisine, which preserves ancient features of the ancient pastoral and mountain and sea recipes, and today offers food and wine products of excellence, among which the Saffron of l'Aquila, the Liquorice of Atri, the Confetti di Sulmona, the Mortadella di Campotosto, the prestigious wine Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and many others. [78]
Abruzzo has many small and picturesque villages, 26 of them have been selected by I Borghi più belli d'Italia (English: The most beautiful Villages of Italy), [84] a non-profit private association of small Italian towns of strong historical and artistic interest, [85] that was founded on the initiative of the Tourism Council of the National Association of Italian Municipalities. [86]
Year | Tourist Arrivals | Change | Source |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 1,330,887 | [2] | |
2020 | 1,069,867 | [2] | |
2019 | 1,643,166 | [2] | |
2018 | 1,643,111 | [2] | |
2017 | 1,548,653 | [2] | |
2016 | 1,526,452 | [2] | |
2015 | 1,522,087 | [2] | |
2014 | 1,391,957 | [2] | |
2013 | 1,500,010 | [2] | |
2012 | 1,579,436 | [2] | |
2011 | 1,580,971 | [2] | |
2010 | 1,485,147 | [2] | |
2009 | 1,341,525 | [2] | |
2008 | 1,636,498 | [2] | |
2007 | 1,560,806 | [2] | |
2006 | 1,578,587 | [2] | |
2005 | 1,503,432 | [2] | |
2004 | 1.425.563 | [2] | |
2003 | 1.428.019 | [2] | |
2002 | 1.346.414 | [2] | |
2001 | 1.320.146 | [2] | |
2000 | 1.273.797 | [2] | |
Year | Tourist overnight stays | Change | Source |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 5,197,765 | [2] | |
2020 | 4,012,792 | [2] | |
2019 | 6,176,702 | [2] | |
2018 | 6,335,122 | [2] | |
2017 | 6,193,473 | [2] | |
2016 | 6,119,103 | [2] | |
2015 | 6,177,230 | [2] | |
2014 | 6,282,824 | [2] | |
2013 | 6,909,216 | [2] | |
2012 | 7,254,977 | [2] | |
2011 | 7,423,774 | [2] | |
2010 | 7,307,229 | [2] | |
2009 | 6,659,108 | [2] | |
2008 | 7,560,546 | [2] | |
2007 | 7,374,645 | [2] | |
2006 | 7,452,113 | [2] | |
2005 | 6,987,992 | [2] | |
2004 | 6,933,452 | [2] | |
2003 | 7,120,250 | [2] | |
2002 | 6,864,349 | [2] | |
2001 | 6,675,864 | [2] | |
2000 | 6,287,888 | [2] | |
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.