About Pescara
Situated on the Adriatic coast at the mouth of the valley of the river of the same name, Pescara is the most highly populated town in the region.
This region of peninsular Italy, stretching between the central Apennines and the Adriatic coast, is in the area defined by the mouths of the rivers Tronto to the north and Trigno to the south. Of medium size, it borders the Marche to the north, Lazio to the west, and Molise to the south, while to the east lies the Adriatic Sea. Abruzzo is one of the most sparcely populated regions of Italy, and its population density is considerably lower than the national average.
The climate of Abruzzo is affected by the altitude of the mountains. The Adriatic side of the Apennines is characterized by an average annual temperature fluctuating between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius. The precipitation on the mountains exposed to the influence of the Tyrrhenian Sea can exceed 1700mm/year. Snowfall on the mountains is generally heavy. The region even has a small glacier, the only one in the Apennines.
In ancient pre-Roman times, the area of Pescara was known as a Aternum, and settled by the Vestini and Marrucini, ancient Italic people. Later, Aternum grew into a succesful port under the Romans. Following the later Barbarian invasions and the Byzantine domination, the geographical center was destroyed by the Lombards of the north, then founded again 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 with Italy in 1860 and became the provincial capital in 1927. 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" (D'Annunzio pinewood).
As far as the economy is concerned, industry in town has greatly developed this century, facilitated also by availability of hydroelectric power and by adequate road and rail connections. The industrial area presently extends 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 center 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 cinema literature 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), Archeological 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).
For information contact:
Maria Rosaria Vitti-Alexander
Nazareth College | Foreign Languages and Literatures