Abruzzo Real Estate

Abruzzo is to be found in central Italy, bordering the Adriatic Sea. To the west of the region, the Apennine Mountains rise majestically over the horizon. To the east, the forests and plains give way to unspoilt sandy beaches washed by the clear blue of the sea.

Abruzzo is largely forgotten by tourism ensuring Abruzzo real estate is competitively priced. The locals revel in their traditions and cultures, and the Italian way of life can be experienced as it should be. Festivals and fairs, their origins in the long-forgotten past, are seen in almost every town and village in the area. As spring blossoms, locals celebrate their ‘Holy Week’ as they have done for generations, with processions, festivities, and an abundance of local produce.

The region offers a truly relaxed way of life for those looking to buy Abruzzo real estate. It is hard not to let the breathtaking mountain scenery, the deep forests and the flowering meadows seep into the soul. It is the sort of place that just begs to be watched with a glass of fine local wine and some freshly-made food, rich with the flavours of the sun drenched fields. Yet, explorers will feel the pull of the landscape. The vast regional and national parks offer routes to hike, cycle or ride on horseback. From these the green, flora-rich valleys give way to high, barren plains and snow capped granite peaks, and even Europe’s southern most glacier. Abruzzo is indeed an area of contradictions, allowing skiing on snow capped mountains in the morning, and dreamy afternoons relaxing on one of the many sun-kissed beaches. By investing in Abruzzo real estate, you can take advantage of both the Italian way of life and its many attractions.

Throughout the region, its history is apparent. Castles and citadels rise in the most unexpected places, all against a backdrop of spectacular beauty and offering breathtaking views.

Abruzzo itself is divided into four provinces, each having something spectacular and unique to offer.

The province of L’Aquila is the largest in Abruzzo and occupies the western part of the region; it is the only province that has no access to the sea, and includes the highest mountains of the Apennines. Here the hills and mountains are populated with charming towns and villages, all with an apparent sense of history, many of which offer suitable Abruzzo real estate to buy. Many of them in this mountainous region have religious feasts and processions, and also still maintain their traditional festivals for bringing in the harvests.

Chieti is the southernmost coastal province. Sandwiched between the mountains and the sea are an abundance of vineyards and olive groves, producing world famous wines and olive oils. One of the main towns in the province is Francavilla al Mare. This is a modern, vibrant town, catering superbly for locals and tourists alike with a wealth of facilities. Its fame as a seaside resort is growing, and with it, its reputation as Abruzzo’s cultural capital. There are many things to do in the city, including museums, nightspots and a variety of sports. Between May and August there are many festivals in the town, starting with the boat procession of St. Liberata and ending with a spectacular firework display over the sea. Abruzzo real estate in Chieti offers a great way to experience the Italian way of life.

Teramo is the most northerly of the coastal provinces, offering an abundance of beaches to the east, and the ski fields of Prati di Tivo in the west, high in the mountains. In this region, many interesting towns and villages can be found and include Biscenti, founded as a monastery in the 12th century, which has an abundance of beautiful churches and numerous religious festivals throughout the year. However, as the area is a great wine producer, the wine harvest in October is celebrated by the people with a procession and traditional songs with just as much fervour. Nearby Castiglione Messer Raimondo is famed for its beautiful sandstone buildings. This village too grew up around the Benedictine monasteries; of particular note is the gastronomic fair held annually in August, offering a wealth of local dishes and produce.

Perhaps the most lively of the region’s towns is Giulianova. Near the mouth of the Tordino River and bordering the Adriatic, the town is building its reputation as a tourist destination. As such, Giulianova has everything that could be desired, from modern shops to a wide range of restaurants serving the seafood freshly bought into the port, to sporting facilities including those on the famed beach. As well as a great many water sports, the town has a long equestrian history, with festivals dedicated to both sailing and horse-riding events, both accompanied by feasts, music and dance. We have many houses, villas and apartments for sale in Giulianova and much more Abruzzo real estate.

Further along the coast, between Chieti and Teramo, is the province of Pescara. Although the smallest of the four in area, it is the most densely populated, partly due to the city of Pescara itself. Pescara, being the main city in the region, has every facility required, and a beauty and a charm of its own. Nearby Montesilvano, immediately north of Pescara, has grown to unite with the city, though keeping a distinct identity of its own. This busy centre is now divided into Montesilvano Marina and Montesilvano Colle, the former a lively, bustling seaside resort. Southwest of Pescara, among hills of olive trees, Loreto Aprutino stands out against the skyline. Reaching into the sky can be seen the imposing medieval castle, the ‘Palazzo Chiola’, and the church and bell tower of ‘San Pietro Apostolo’. Both of these structures provide the visitor from a distance with an idea of the essence of the town, but once inside there are a whole host of artistic, cultural and historical treasures to be discovered. Many of the beautiful towns in this region are to be found perching on hilltops giving panoramic views of the landscape below. One such is Collecorvino, with beautiful architecture to match the views – we have Abruzzo real estate for sale in Collecorvino. Many, such as Montebello di Bertona, sitting high on a hilltop south of the Tavo River, are built on much more ancient settlements.

Civitaquana, its name deriving from the underground water supply, or possibly the Roman aqueducts, has a similarly long history. Though most of the town is medieval, its origins are Roman. The oldest medieval part follows a defensive architecture, with the houses side by side in a half-circle. Likewise, is the medieval village of Alanno that rises on the banks of the Alterno-Pescara River. This is a most unusual village and has a strange ‘fish spine’ shape. As well as the historic churches, the village holds two annual feasts. We have houses and villas in Civitaquana.

Penne, another of the main towns in the region, has been built completely of bricks on the tops of four hills. The medieval centre rises between the valleys of the Tavo and Fino rivers, amid a landscape of green hills and woods. Southeast of Penne lies the ‘Riserva Naturale Lago di Penne’, an artificial lake constructed in the 1960's. The territory is now a Natural Reserve with a Botanical Garden and an ‘Area Faunistica’ where sick and wounded birds are tended, remaining on the reserve for the rest of their lives. The area now contains over 160 species of birds situated along the banks of the lake, a section of the Tavo River and the marshland between.

Spoltore rises on a hill between the Pescara and Saline rivers with a wonderful view of the Pescara valley. The northern part of the centre rose around the ancient castle, whose ruins can still be seen, while the southern part was constructed of terraced houses, whose outer walls created a fortified defence along the weaker side of the borough. Outside the village is the XV-century monastery of St. Francesco. We have Abruzzo real estate in Spoltore and surrounding villages.

Also noteworthy is Nocciano. The centre rises on a green hill, from where the Gran Sasso, the Majella, the river Pescara valley, and the Adriatic Sea can be seen in the distance. Likewise Citta Sant’Angelo is famed for its spectacular views from its mountainside location and Moscufo, with ancient origins, lies on a beautiful hill hovering above the River Tavo Valley.