This is situated on the Adriatic coast at the mouth of the valley of the river of the same name and is the most highly populated town in the region.
A settlement of the Vestini and of the Marrucini, ancient Italic peoples, as Aternum it became a fair-sized port in Roman times. After the Barbarian invasions and Byzantine domination, it was destroyed by the Lombards, then refounded as Piscaria, for the abundance of fish in its waters.
In 1140 it was conquered by the Normans, sharing historical events with the Kingdom of Naples. It was united to Italy in 1860 and became provincial capital in 1927. The town does not offer anything of particular artistic or architectural interest. Worth visiting are: 'La figlia di Iorio', the painting by Micheletti, preserved in the Palazzo del Governo, G. D'Annunzio's house and the Tempio Nazionale della Conciliazione (modern temple). The Viale della Riviera waterfront is very beautiful and nearby stands the 'Pineta Dannunziana' (pinewood).
As far as the economy is concerned, industry in the town has greatly developed this century, facilitated also by the availability of hydro electrical power and by adequate road and rail connections.The industrial area is presently extending along Val Pescara towards Chieti.Textiles, clothing, foods, engineering, chemicals and building materials are particularly flourishing sectors. The town is also an important administrative and commercial centre and the beauty of its beaches attracts large numbers of tourists.
Events: Jazz Festival (July-August), Prose season, Premio Ennio Flaiano di teatro, letteratura, cinema e televisione (a prize for theatre, literature, cinema and TV-July).
Famous People: Gabriele D'Annunzio (poet, man of letters and patriot, 1863-1938), Basilio Cascella (artist, 1860-1950), Ennio Flaiano (writer and scenarist, 1910-1972).
Cultural Institutions: University, Conservatory, Library, State Archives, Museo Civico B. Cascella, Museo delle Tradizioni Popolari (museums), Archaeological exhibition in the house of G. D'Annunzio, Fishing Museum and D'Annunzio Foundation.
In the Province: Caramanico Terme (spa), Montesilvano Marina (seaside resort), Penne (environmental interest), Bussi sul Tirino (chemical industry) and Sant'Eufemia a Maiella (mountain tourism).
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