View source for Abruzzo

{{Short description|Region in southern Italy}}
{{For|the surname|Abruzzo (surname)}}
{{Redirect|Abruzzi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| official_name      = Abruzzo
| native_name        = {{lang|nap|Abbrùzzu}} / {{native name|nap|Abbrùzze}}
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| other_name         = Abruzzi
| settlement_type    = [[Region of Italy|Region]]
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| seat               = [[L'Aquila]]
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| leader_party       = [[Brothers of Italy|FdI]]
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| leader_name        = [[Marco Marsilio]]
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| area_total_km2     = 10831.84
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| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = €32.889 billion (2021)
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| blank2_info_sec1   = 0.892<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2023-03-05|archive-date=23 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923120638/https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />{{color|green|very high}} · [[List of Italian regions by Human Development Index|13th of 21]]
| blank_name_sec2    = [[First-level NUTS of the European Union#Italy|NUTS Region]]
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| website            = {{Official website|regione.abruzzo.it}}
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'''Abruzzo''' ({{IPAc-en|US|ɑː|ˈ|b|r|uː|t|s|oʊ|,_|ə|ˈ|-}},<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Abruzzo|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Abruzzi|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|UK|æ|ˈ|b|r|ʊ|t|s|oʊ}};<ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Abruzzi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182313/https://www.lexico.com/definition/abruzzi |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-03-22 |title=Abruzzi |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPA|it|aˈbruttso|lang}}; {{langx|nap|label=[[Neapolitan language|Abruzzese Neapolitan]]|Abbrùzze}} {{IPA|nap|abˈbruttsə|}}, ''Abbrìzze'' {{IPA|nap|abˈbrittsə|}}, or ''Abbrèzze'' {{IPA|nap|abˈbrɛttsə|}}; {{langx|nap|label=[[Sabino dialect|Aquilano]]|Abbrùzzu}}), historically also known as '''Abruzzi''', is a [[Regions of Italy|region]] of [[Southern Italy]]. It has an area of {{Convert|10831.84|km2|sqmi}}<ref name="area" /> and a population of nearly 1.3 million.<ref name="population" /> It is divided into four [[Provinces of Italy|provinces]]: [[Province of L'Aquila|L'Aquila]], [[Province of Teramo|Teramo]], [[Province of Pescara|Pescara]], and [[Province of Chieti|Chieti]]. Its western border lies {{convert|80|km|0|abbr=on}} east of [[Rome]]. L'Aquila is both the capital city of the Abruzzo region and of the [[Province of L'Aquila]], and is the second largest city. The other provincial capitals are [[Pescara]], which is Abruzzo's largest city and major port, [[Teramo]], and [[Chieti]]. Other large cities and towns in Abruzzo include the industrial and [[high tech]] center [[Avezzano]], as well as three important industrial and touristic centers, [[Vasto]], [[Lanciano]], and [[Sulmona]].

Abruzzo borders the region of [[Marche]] to the north, [[Lazio]] to the west and northwest, [[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.

Culturally, Abruzzo is considered a region of Southern Italy; however, geographically it is often considered part of [[Central Italy]].<ref name="Felice">Paradosso evidenziato da [[Ignazio Silone]], cfr. {{cite book |author=Costantino Felice |title=Le trappole dell'identità: l'Abruzzo, le catastrofi, l'Italia di oggi |publisher=Donzelli |year=2010 |isbn=978-88-6036-436-4 |editor=Donzelli |location=Rome |page=41 |chapter=Quadri ambientali e identità regionale |chapter-url=https://books.google.it/books?id=KmB44oQjN2cC&printsec=copyright&hl=it#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref> Because of its historic association with the [[Kingdom of the Two Sicilies]], the Italian statistical authority [[Istituto Nazionale di Statistica|ISTAT]] deems it to be part of Southern Italy.<ref name="Felice" />

Abruzzo is known as "''the greenest region in Europe''" as half of the region's territory is protected through national parks and nature reserves, more than any other region in Italy. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/abruzzo-holiday-italy-travel-trip-unspoiled-earthquake-castles-rigopiano-avalanche-laquila-film-beaches-green-a7629691.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112035242/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/abruzzo-holiday-italy-travel-trip-unspoiled-earthquake-castles-rigopiano-avalanche-laquila-film-beaches-green-a7629691.html |archive-date=12 November 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title = The spectacular region of Italy you've probably never heard of|website = [[Independent.co.uk]]|date = 26 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="Laquilacapitale">{{cite web |title = L'Abruzzo Regione Verde d'Europa|url= http://www.laquilacapitale.eu/it/abruzzo-regione-verde-europa.html |website=Laquilacapitale |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215170952/http://laquilacapitale.eu/it/abruzzo-regione-verde-europa.html |archive-date=15 February 2015 |language = it}}</ref> There are three national parks, one regional park, and 38 protected nature reserves. These ensure the survival of rare species, such as the [[golden eagle]], the Abruzzo (or Abruzzese) [[chamois]], the [[Apennine wolf]], and the [[Marsican brown bear]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parcoabruzzo.it/pagina.php?id=46|title=Fauna &#124; Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise |website=www.parcoabruzzo.it|access-date=27 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127030824/http://parcoabruzzo.it/pagina.php?id=46|archive-date=27 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Abruzzo's parks and reserves host 75% of Europe's animal species.<ref name="Laquilacapitale"/> The region is also home to [[Calderone glacier|Calderone]], one of Europe's southernmost glaciers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abruzzoverdeblu.it/?id=9 |title=I parchi in Abruzzo |website=www.abruzzoverdeblu.it |access-date=27 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230331/http://www.abruzzoverdeblu.it/?id=9 |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Nineteenth-century Italian diplomat and journalist {{ill|Primo Levi (1853-1917)|lt=Primo Levi|it|Primo Levi (1853-1917)}} (1853–1917) <!-- NB not Primo Michele Levi (1919 – 1987) --> chose the adjectives ''forte e gentile'' ("strong and kind") to capture what he saw as the character of the region and its people. ''Forte e gentile'' has since become the motto of the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vastospa.it/html/vastesi_nel_%20mondo/abruzzo_forte_e_gentile.htm |title=Abruzzo: Forte e Gentile, definizione di Primo Levi, giornalista e diplomatico, nel sito di vastospa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902210345/http://www.vastospa.it/html/vastesi_nel_%20mondo/abruzzo_forte_e_gentile.htm |archive-date=2 September 2012 }}</ref>

==Etymology==
The name ''Abruzzo'', according to the most accredited hypothesis first proposed by Renaissance historian [[Flavio Biondo]] in ''Italia Illustrata'', derives from ''Aprutium'' as a popular evolution of ''(ad) Praetutium'', meaning "land of the [[Praetutii]]", an ancient [[Italic peoples|Italic]] people that lived in the area of present-day [[Teramo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.comuni-italiani.it/13/|title=Italy Guide: Abruzzo Region|work=Comuni-Italiani.it|access-date=20 January 2014|archive-date=17 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217005917/http://en.comuni-italiani.it/13/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to other hypotheses, the name could also derive from ''abruptus'' (Latin for "steep" or "precipitous").<ref>{{cite book|last=Palma|first=Niccola|title=Questioni Apruzzesi Risolute|year=1837|location=Teramo|page=79}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Egli|first=Johann Jakob|title=Nomina geographica|year=1893|location=Leipzig|page=5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Everett-Heath|first=John|author-link=John Everett-Heath|title=Concise Dictionary of World Places Name|edition=4|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref>

In the 1273 {{ill|Treaty of Alife|it|Diploma di Alife}}, King [[Charles I of Anjou]] divided the [[Justiciarate]] of Abruzzo (''Giustizierato d'Abruzzo'') into two territories along the [[Pescara river]]: ''[[Abruzzo Citeriore]]'' ("nearer Abruzzo") and ''Abruzzo Ulteriore'' ("further Abruzzo"); from this division, the region was also known by the plural name ''Abruzzi''.

==History==
{{Main|Kingdom of the Two Sicilies|Abruzzi e Molise}}

{{multiple image
| align             = left
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = Paleolithic hand axes - Chieti Museum of Biomedical Sciences.jpg
| caption1          = [[Lower Paleolithic]] [[hand axes]] from Valle Giumentina at [[Caramanico Terme]] and Chieti in the [[Chieti Museum of Biomedical Sciences]]
| width1            = 180
| image2            = Rovine di Amiternum.JPG
| width2            = 180
| caption2          = The Roman site [[Amiternum]], located {{convert|9|km|abbr=on}} from [[L'Aquila]]
| alt1              = 
| image3            = Santa Maria di Collemaggio in 2020.jpg
| width3            = 180
| alt2              = 
| caption3          = The church of [[Santa Maria di Collemaggio]] in [[L'Aquila]], after the reconstruction in 2020
}}

=== Prehistory ===
==== Paleolithic ====
Although an earlier presence cannot be ruled out, findings in the region related to archaic humans date from around 700,000 years ago ([[Acheulean Culture]]). Thousands of [[flint]] [[stone tool|tools]] and weapons have been collected on [[fluvial terrace]]s (e.g. Madonna del Freddo at [[Chieti]]) and near [[lake#Paleolakes|former lakes]] (e.g. Valle Giumentina at [[Caramanico Terme]] and [[Valle Peligna]] at [[Popoli]]). These testify to the presence of different ''[[Homo]]'' species over time, ranging from ''[[Homo erectus]]'' and [[Neanderthal]]s to modern humans. A site located at Popoli (Svolte di Popoli) also contained [[hippopotamus]] bones. The most important evidence of Neanderthals' presence in the region was found in caves in [[Calascio]] and dates back to the [[Middle Paleolithic]].<ref name=museo>{{cite AV media|title=The People Of Abruzzo And Their Millennia Of History|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbDu_cBBCnc|access-date=29 September 2024|publisher=[[Museo delle Genti d'Abruzzo]]}}</ref>

Significant evidence of [[Upper Paleolithic]] [[human]] populations has been found in various places, including the [[Fucine Lake|Fucino]] [[depression (geology)|depression]] and [[Montebello di Bertona]], the latter giving its name to a distinctive [[stoneworking]] technique called "Bertonian".<ref>{{treccani|facies-bertoniana|Facies Bertoniana}}</ref><ref>{{cite conference|last1=Tozzi|first1=Carlo|date=September 2001|title=Preistoria e protostoria dell'Abruzzo|language=IT|trans-title=Prehistory and protohistory of Abruzzo|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284631974|location=Chieti|publisher=Istituto italiano di preistoria e protostoria|access-date=8 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=Sapere.it>{{cite web|url=http://www.sapere.it/enciclopedia/Abruzzo+o+Abruzzi.html|title=Abruzzo o Abruzzi|website=Sapere.it|date=5 June 2020|publisher=[[De Agostini]]|language=IT|access-date=March 3, 2024|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407053624/https://www.sapere.it/enciclopedia/Abruzzo+o+Abruzzi.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Treccani>{{treccani|abruzzo|Abruzzo}}</ref>

==== Neolithic ====
After the [[Mesolithic]] transition, which was characterized by [[climate variability and change|climate change]] and a lack of food resources, [[agriculture]] was introduced in Abruzzo by [[Early European Farmers|Neolithic farmers]] from the [[Middle East]]. A skeleton from [[Lama dei Peligni]] in the province of Chieti was dated back to 6,540 BC using [[radiometric dating]].<ref>[[Journal of Anthropological Sciences]], "Towards a re-appraisal of the Early Neolithic skeleton from Lama dei Peligni (Abruzzo, Italy)" by Miliano Bruner and Giorgio Manzi, Vol. 81 (2003), pp. 69–78 (Abruzzo, Italy).</ref>

In Abruzzo and [[Marche]], villages typical of the {{ill|Ripoli culture|it|Cultura di Ripoli}} in the 5–6th millennium BC consisted of [[huts]], and were generally located on [[fluvial terrace]]s or hills overlooking rivers. In some cases, they were defended by a [[moat]]. Caves were often used for rituals. These people practiced agriculture, [[husbandry]], hunting, fishing, and production of pottery, which was painted or decorated.<ref>{{treccani|ripoli|Ripoli}}</ref><ref>{{treccani|repertorio-delle-culture-dell-europa-preistorica-neolitico_(Il-Mondo-dell'Archeologia)|Repertorio delle culture dell'Europa preistorica. Neolitico|Renata Grifoni Cremonesi|2004}}</ref> Other older Neolithic cultures present in Abruzzo are called the Impressed Ceramic culture and the [[Catignano]] culture.<ref name=Sapere.it/><ref name=Treccani/><ref name=museo/>

==== Metal Ages ====
The [[Bronze Age]] saw the spread of the [[Apennine culture]] and the Subapennine culture in central-southern Italy, including in Abruzzo. The former has been associated with [[pastoralism]], and the latter with agriculture.<ref>{{treccani|appennico|Appenninico}}</ref><ref>{{treccani|subappennico|Subappenninico}}</ref> During the [[Late Bronze Age]], the [[Proto-Villanovan culture]] emerged in Abruzzo.<ref>{{treccani|repertorio-delle-culture-dell-europa-preistorica-eta-del-bronzo_(Il-Mondo-dell'Archeologia)/|Repertorio delle culture dell'Europa preistorica. Età del Bronzo|Maria Antonietta Fugazzola Delpino|2004}}</ref>

There are sites of [[Iron Age]] [[necropolis|necropoli]] at Fiorano ([[Loreto Aprutino]]'s ''[[frazione]]''), Campovalano ([[Campli]]), [[Alfedena]], and [[Capestrano]].<ref name=Sapere.it/><ref name=Treccani/><ref name=museo/>

=== Ancient history ===
{{See also|Italic peoples|Roman expansion in Italy|Roman Italy}}
[[File:Guerriero di capestrano, da capestrano, 600-550 ac ca. 02.jpg|thumb|[[Warrior of Capestrano]] is the most famous example of Abruzzi [[Italic peoples|Italic]] funerary [[sculpture]] ([[Museo Archeologico Nazionale d'Abruzzo]], [[Chieti]]).]]
At the end of the Iron Age, Abruzzo was inhabited by different tribes, including the peoples defined by ancient Roman tradition as [[Sabelli]]:<ref>{{treccani|sabelli|Sabelli}}</ref> [[Oscan language|Oscan-speaking]] [[Pentri]], [[Caraceni (tribe)|Carricini]], and [[Frentani]], and, more generically, the [[Osco-Umbrian languages|Osco-Umbrian]] [[Aequi]], [[Praetutii]], [[Vestini]], [[Marrucini]], [[Marsi]], and [[Peligni|Paeligni]].<ref name=Sapere.it/>

Considered strong warriors by ancient writers, the tribes fought against the Romans in the [[Samnite Wars]] (from 343 to 290 BC). Some tribes accepted the alliance with the Romans, while others surrendered after the Samnite Wars. Following progressive [[Romanization (cultural)|Romanization]], they supported the Romans and contributed to many victories in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC.<ref>{{treccani|popoli-e-culture-dell-italia-preromana-i-popoli-dell-area-medio-adriatica_(Il-Mondo-dell'Archeologia)|Popoli e culture dell'Italia preromana. I popoli dell'area medio-adriatica|Gianluca Tagliamonte|2004}}</ref> They fought again with Rome during the [[Social War (91–87 BC)]] to gain [[political rights]] and created the ephemeral state called Italia with [[Corfinio]] as the capital. After the Social War, they obtained [[Roman citizenship]]<ref>{{treccani|guerre-sociali|Guerre sociali}}</ref> and in the [[Roman Empire|Imperial]] period favoured economic activities such as [[trade]] and [[pastoralism]].<ref name=Sapere.it/> On the basis of a [[Roman Italy#Augustan organization|division]] by [[Augustus]], the territory of what is now Abruzzo was part of "Regio V [[Picenum]]" and especially "Regio IV [[Sabina (region)|Sabina]] et [[Samnium]]". Much later, the region corresponded to the Valeria province, according to the [[Diocletian]] decisions, and was among the first to see the arrival of [[Christianity]].<ref name=Italiana>{{treccani|abruzzo_(Enciclopedia-Italiana)|Abruzzo|Cesare Rivera, Roberto Amalgia, Camillo Giulio Bertoni, Ugo Antonielli, Ignazio Carlo Gavini, Giulio Fara|1929}}</ref><ref name=medievale>{{treccani|abruzzo_(Enciclopedia-dell'-Arte-Medievale)|Abruzzo|M. Andaloro|1991}}</ref><ref>{{treccani|l-italia-romana-delle-regiones-regio-v-picenum_(Il-Mondo-dell'Archeologia)/|L'Italia romana delle Regiones. Regio V Picenum. Il Mondo dell'Archeologia (2004)|Manlio Lilli|2004}}</ref>

Evidence from archeological sites shows that many cities in Abruzzo date back to ancient times. Corfinio was known as Corfinium when it was the chief city of the Paeligni, and it became the capital of "Italia" against the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] during the Social War.<ref>{{treccani|corfinium_(Enciclopedia-dell'-Arte-Antica)|Corfinium}}</ref> Today's [[Chieti]] has been inhabited since the [[Chalcolithic]] era, and was an important center for the Marrucini (Teate Marrucinorum).<ref>{{treccani|teate-marrucinorum_(Enciclopedia-dell'-Arte-Antica)|Teate Marrucinorum|1997}}</ref> [[Atri, Abruzzo|Atri]] was known as Hatria<ref>{{treccani|atri|Atri}}</ref> and [[Teramo]] was known variously in ancient times as Interamnia and Teramne.<ref>{{treccani|teramo|Guerre|Teramo}}</ref> Pinna (today [[Penne, Abruzzo|Penne]]), Anxanum ([[Lanciano]]), Hortona ([[Ortona]]), Histonium ([[Vasto]]), [[Sulmona]], and Marruvium ([[San Benedetto dei Marsi]]) are among the settlements that are still inhabited while others are no longer so, such as Cluviae near [[Casoli]].<ref>{{treccani|l-italia-romana-delle-regiones-regio-iv-sabina-et-samnium_(Il-Mondo-dell'Archeologia)|L'Italia romana delle Regiones. Regio IV Sabina et Samnium|Andrea R. Staffa|2004}}</ref>

=== Middle Ages ===
==== Early Middle Ages ====
{{See also|Ostrogothic Kingdom|Byzantine Italy|Kingdom of the Lombards|Kingdom of Italy (Holy Roman Empire)}}
After the fall of the [[Western Roman Empire]] and the [[Gothic War (535–554)|Gothic War]] between the [[Byzantine Empire]] and the [[Ostrogothic Kingdom]],<ref name=museo/> [[looting]] and devastation of [[monasteries]] and towns followed the arrival of [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] Lombards in the region. Around 572, the [[Lombards]] divided Abruzzo into the [[Duchy of Benevento]] and of [[Duchy of Spoleto|Spoleto]], with [[Faroald I of Spoleto]] becoming the first [[Duke of Spoleto]]. His successor, [[Ariulf of Spoleto]], annexed other territories: the former territories controlled by [[Aequi]], [[Marsi]], [[Peligni]], and [[Vestini]]. In the 8th century, [[Transamund II of Spoleto]] rebelled against [[Liutprand, King of the Lombards]], but was able to recover his duchy and also to include other remaining territories of former Valeria province.

After the beginning of domination by the [[Franks]], in 801, Teate (today's [[Chieti]]) also passed from the Lombardic Duchy of Benevento to the Frankish Duchy of Spoleto. In 843, some territories were separated from the duchy (all the region together with the district of [[Rieti]], except that of [[Teramo]], according to ''Liber provincialis''), with [[Celano]] as the capital. [[Counts of Marsi]] from different lineages ruled "Marsia" from 843 to 926. In 871, [[Louis II of Italy]] founded, as the [[Carolingian Emperor]], a monastery, which would become very powerful in the history of Abruzzo ([[Abbey of San Clemente a Casauria]]). With the rule of [[Hugh of Italy]] from 926, the territories were divided: [[Penne, Abruzzo|Penne]] and Teate to {{ill|Atto I|it|Gastaldato di Teate}}, and today's [[province of L'Aquila]] to Berardo.

==== Kingdom of Sicily ====
{{See also|Kingdom of Sicily|Norman conquest of southern Italy|Hohenstaufen#Ruling in Italy|Capetian House of Anjou}}
After two attempted conquests from two [[Normans|Norman]] [[Principality of Capua|princes of Capua]] in Abruzzo, two other Normans, [[Robert Guiscard]] and [[Robert I of Loritello]], conquered Teate, [[Corfinio|Valva]], and Penne. Later, all of Abruzzo was definitively conquered by [[Normans|Norman]] [[Roger II of Sicily]]. In 1156, his son, [[William I of Sicily]], had these victories officially recognized by [[Pope Adrian IV]].

As part of the [[Kingdom of Sicily]], Abruzzo was involved in the conflicts following the death of [[William II of Sicily]] in 1189. The territories sided with [[Constance I of Sicily|Constance, Queen of Sicily]] and [[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor]], but after the death of the former in 1198, they were invaded by [[Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor]]. They were also involved in the conflicts between [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]] (son of Queen Constance) and [[Pope Gregory IX]], including the [[War of the Keys]].<ref name=Italiana/><ref name=Sapere.it/> The administrative region of Abruzzo was formed in the 1230s, when Frederick II divided his realms into [[justiciarate]]s, with Abruzzo forming one of them.<ref name="Wine">{{cite web |url=http://winecountry.it/regions/abruzzo/ |title=WineCountry.it Abruzzo wine region of Italy |publisher=winecountry.it |access-date=8 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331103332/http://winecountry.it/regions/abruzzo/ |archive-date=31 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The newly founded [[L'Aquila]] was destroyed by [[Manfred, King of Sicily]] (son of Frederick II) in 1259, and in the [[Battle of Tagliacozzo]] (1268), supported the defeat of his nephew [[Conradin]] against [[Charles I of Anjou]], the new king of Sicily. From the last half of the 13th century, L'Aquila took a central role in the region.<ref name=Italiana/><ref name=Sapere.it/> Abruzzo was divided into ''[[Abruzzo Citra]]'' (nearer Abruzzo) and ''Abruzzo Ultra'' (further Abruzzo) by Charles I of Anjou in the 1270s.<ref name="Wine" />

=== Kingdom of Naples ===
{{See also|Crown of Aragon|Italian War of 1494–1495|List of viceroys of Naples|Habsburg monarchy}}
[[File:Castello Caldoresco di Vasto - anteriore.JPG|thumb|[[Castello Caldoresco]], [[Vasto]]]]
In 1302, after the rebellion called [[Sicilian Vespers]] and the [[War of the Sicilian Vespers|subsequent war]], the [[Peace of Caltabellotta]] divided the former [[Kingdom of Sicily]] as follows: [[Sicily]] to the [[Crown of Aragon]] and the Southern [[Italian Peninsula]] (including Abruzzo) still to the [[Capetian House of Anjou]].

The region was profoundly affected during the wars that followed a conspiracy which resulted in the [[Andrew, Duke of Calabria#Murder and aftermath|assassination of Andrew, Duke of Calabria]], the husband of Queen [[Joanna I of Naples]]. Different towns ([[L'Aquila]], [[Penne]], [[Chieti]], [[Lanciano]], [[Ortona]]) sided at first with the brother of the victim, [[Louis I of Hungary]]. In 1443, [[Alfonso V of Aragon]], King of Sicily, conquered the [[Kingdom of Naples]]. In the same years, Abruzzo saw many battles, including the ones associated with the [[War of L'Aquila]]. Under the Aragonese rulers, L'Aquila started to become a military center, giving up its political and economic importance to Chieti. This period was characterized by economic decline and the spread of [[brigandage]], but coastal centers were favored by trade with the [[Republic of Venice]]'s overseas territories.

Shortly after the [[Italian War of 1494–1495]] carried out by [[Charles VIII of France]], the Kingdom of Naples returned to [[Ferdinand II of Aragon]]. In this and in the following conflict between the [[Kingdom of France]] and the [[Kingdom of Spain]] over the Kingdom of Naples, Abruzzo sided with France, but Spain won in 1503 and started to dominate the Kingdom of Naples with its [[viceroys]].

In Abruzzo, the aristocracy tried to regain more control when there was a [[Neapolitan Republic (1647–1648)|rebellion in the Kingdom of Naples]] led by a fisherman named [[Masaniello]] in 1647.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the region was affected by destructive earthquakes, which also devastated L'Aquila ([[1703 Apennine earthquakes]]) and [[Sulmona]] ([[1706 Abruzzo earthquake]]), and the [[War of the Spanish Succession]], with the [[Austria]]n siege at [[Pescara]] in 1707. In 1734, [[Charles III of Spain|Charles III]] of the [[House of Bourbon]], King of Spain, ended the short [[Habsburg monarchy|Habsburg Austrian]] domination, which contributed to [[Concentration of land ownership|large land concentrations]] in Abruzzo.<ref name=Sapere.it/><ref name="auto2">{{treccani|regno-di-napoli_(Dizionario-di-Storia)|Regno di Napoli|2010}}</ref><ref name=Italiana/>

=== French invasions ===
{{See also|French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars}}
[[File:Ferdinando Galiani.png|thumb|[[Ferdinando Galiani]], an 18th-century [[monetary economics|monetary economist]] from Abruzzo]]
In accordance with a general diffidence against the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] ideas, the Abruzzo population of different [[social class]]es rebelled in an improvised way against [[Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars|French invasion]] in 1798 and 1799. After the proclamation of the ephemeral [[Parthenopean Republic]], they continued to be hostile to French invaders (''[[Sanfedismo]]'').<ref name=Italiana/>

During the [[Kingdom of Naples (Napoleonic)|client kingdom]] (1806–1815) of [[Napoleon]], in 1806, Abruzzo Ultra was divided into two, as Abruzzo Ultra I and Abruzzo Ultra II (being divided at the [[Gran Sasso d'Italia]]); the same Citra/Ultra I/Ultra II scheme was used for Calabria.

=== Kingdom of Two Sicilies ===
{{See also|Kingdom of the Two Sicilies}}
The return of the [[Bourbons]] was granted by the [[Congress of Vienna]], while Abruzzo was plagued by decline and [[brigandage]]. The [[House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies]] established the [[Kingdom of the Two Sicilies]] in 1816, and ruled until [[Italian unification]] (also known as the ''Risorgimento'').<ref name=regions>{{Cite book |title=The regions of Italy; a reference guide |last=Domenico |first=Roy Palmer |publisher=Greenwood |year=2002 |pages=4}}</ref><ref name=Italiana/>

=== Italian unification ===
{{See also|Italian unification}}
Rebellions also sprung up in 1821, 1841 and [[Revolutions of 1848|1848]] with a variety of causes, including [[Liberalism|liberal]], [[Jacobins|Jacobin]], or [[reactionary]] ideas. During the unification of Italy, in 1860, Abruzzo became part of the [[Kingdom of Sardinia]] and, in 1861, the [[Kingdom of Italy]]. Some supporters of the Bourbons fought against volunteers of [[Garibaldi]], and later banded with simple criminals to participate for political reasons in brigandage, which would be eradicated years later. However, many accepted the new order with neither enthusiasm nor opposition.<ref name=Italiana/>

Since 1870, due to its economic conditions, Abruzzo saw massive emigration to other regions and countries, which contributed to [[Italian diaspora]].<ref name=Sapere.it/>

=== Fascism and World War II ===
During the [[Italian fascism]] period, [[Pescara]] became an important center for its [[Port of Pescara|homonymous port]], tourism, and trade.<ref name=Sapere.it/> With the [[Second World War]], Abruzzo was on the [[Gustav Line]], part of the German [[Winter Line]]. One of the most brutal battles was the [[Battle of Ortona]]. Abruzzo was the location of two [[List of World War II prisoner-of-war camps in Italy|prisoner-of-war camps]], Campo 21 in Chieti,<ref>{{Cite book|title=An extraordinary Italian imprisonment : the brutal truth of Campo 21, 1942–3|last=Lett|first=Brian|publisher=Pen and Sword|year=2014|location=Barnsley}}</ref> and Campo 78 in Sulmona. The Sulmona camp also served as a POW camp in [[World War I]]; much of the facility is still intact and attracts tourists.

=== Italian Republic ===
Despite the high level of destruction and victims caused by the Second World War, there was remarkable development in the second half of the 20th century, which particularly favored [[Fucino]] and [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] [[coast]]al areas.<ref name=Sapere.it/>

In the 1948 [[Italian Constitution]], Abruzzo was unified with Molise into the [[Abruzzi e Molise]] region, though in the first draft, Abruzzo and Molise were separate. In 1963, Abruzzi e Molise was separated into the two regions of Abruzzo and Molise. Abruzzo Citeriore is now the [[province of Chieti]]. The [[province of Teramo]] and [[province of Pescara]] now comprise what was Abruzzo Ulteriore I. Abruzzo Ulteriore II is now the [[province of L'Aquila]].

==Geography==
Geographically, Abruzzo is nearly at the center of [[Italian peninsula]], stretching from the heart of the [[Apennine Mountains|Apennines]] to the [[Adriatic Sea]], and includes mainly mountainous and wild land. The mountainous land is occupied by a vast plateau, including [[Gran Sasso]], which is, at {{convert|2912|m|ft}}, the highest peak of the Apennines, and [[Majella|Mount Majella]] at {{convert|2793|m|ft}}. The Adriatic coastline is characterized by long sandy beaches to the North and pebbly beaches to the South. Abruzzo is known for its landscapes and natural environment, parks and nature reserves, and characteristic hillside areas rich in vineyards and olive groves. Many beaches have been awarded the [[Blue Flag beach]] status.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abruzzoturismo.it/img/depliant/en_AmbienteNatura.pdf | title=Abruzzo | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201215720/http://www.abruzzoturismo.it/img/depliant/en_AmbienteNatura.pdf | archive-date=1 February 2014| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Climate===
[[File:Lungomare giulianova.jpg|thumbnail|left|[[Giulianova]] seaside]]

There are two climatic zones in Abruzzo. The coastal strip and [[sub-Apennine]] hills have a climate markedly different from that of the mountainous interior. Coastal areas have a [[Mediterranean]] climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. Inland hilly areas have a [[Supralittoral zone|sublittoral]] climate with temperatures decreasing progressively with increasing altitude.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lifeinabruzzo.com/abruzzo-annual-weather-forecast/ | title=Abruzzo Annual Weather Forecast | work=Life in Abruzzo | date=17 August 2008 | access-date=15 August 2016 | author=Sam Dunham | archive-date=27 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827022853/http://www.lifeinabruzzo.com/abruzzo-annual-weather-forecast/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Precipitation is also strongly affected by the presence of the Apennines mountain range. Rainfall is abundant on slopes oriented to the west, and lower in the east and east-facing slopes. The Adriatic coast is shielded from rainfall by the barrier effect created by the Apennines.<ref name="centrometeo">{{Cite web|url=http://www.centrometeo.com/articoli-reportage-approfondimenti/climatologia/5427-clima-abruzzo|title=Il clima della regione Abruzzo e tabelle climatiche per alcune località|website=www.centrometeo.com|access-date=28 February 2023|archive-date=28 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228151504/http://www.centrometeo.com/articoli-reportage-approfondimenti/climatologia/5427-clima-abruzzo|url-status=live}}</ref> The minimum annual rainfall is found in some inland valleys sheltered by mountain ranges, such as Peligna or Tirino ([[Ofena]], [[Capestrano]]), where as little as {{convert|500|mm|1|abbr=off}} have been recorded. Rainfall along the coast almost never falls below {{convert|600|mm|1|abbr=off}}. [[Pescara]] has relatively less rainfall (about {{convert|700|mm|1|abbr=off}}) than [[Chieti]] (about {{convert|1000|mm|1|abbr=off}}).<ref name="centrometeo" /> The highest rainfall occurs in upland areas on the border with [[Lazio]]; they are especially vulnerable to [[Atlantic]] disturbances. Around {{convert|1500|to|2000|mm|0|abbr=off}} of precipitation is typical.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moldrek.com/vacanze_abruzzo.htm|title=Le vacanze abruzzesi|website=www.moldrek.com|access-date=28 February 2023|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307133300/https://www.moldrek.com/vacanze_abruzzo.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Flora and fauna==
{{Main|Abruzzo National Park|Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park|Maiella National Park|Sirente-Velino Regional Park}}

[[File:Corno grande da campo imperatore.jpg|thumbnail|[[Gran Sasso d'Italia]]]]
[[File:Orso bruno marsicano.jpg|thumbnail|[[Marsican brown bear]]]]

The flora of Abruzzo is typically Mediterranean. Along the coastal belt, [[Mediterranean shrubland]] is the dominant natural vegetation, with species including [[myrtus|myrtle]], [[ericaceae|heather]], and [[Pistacia lentiscus|mastic]]. Inland, there are [[olive]], [[pine]], [[willow]], [[oak]], [[Populus|poplar]], [[alder]], [[arbutus]], [[broom]], [[acacia]], [[capers]], [[rosemary]], [[Common hawthorn|hawthorn]], [[licorice]], and [[almond]] trees, interspersed with [[oak]] trees. At elevations between {{convert|600|and|1000|m|ft}}, there is [[sub-montane]] vegetation, with mixed woodlands of oak and turkey oak, [[maple]], and [[hornbeam]]; shrubs include [[dog rose]] and [[red juniper]]. Elevations between {{convert|1000|and|1900|m|ft}} are dominated by [[beech]]. In the [[Apennine Mountains]], at elevations above {{convert|2000|m|ft}}, species include [[Chamorchis|alpine orchid]], mountain juniper, [[Abies alba|silver fir]], black cranberry, and the Abruzzo [[edelweiss]].

The fauna of Abruzzo is very diverse, including the region's symbol, the Abruzzo chamois (''[[Rupicapra pyrenaica]] ornata''), which has recovered from near-extinction. Common species include the [[Marsican brown bear]], [[Canis lupus italicus|Italian wolf]], deer, lynx, [[roe deer]], snow vole, fox, porcupine, wild cat, wild boar, badger, otter, and viper.

The natural parks of the region are the [[Abruzzo National Park]], the [[Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park]], the [[Maiella National Park]], and the [[Sirente-Velino Regional Park]], as well as many other natural reserves and protected areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.regione.abruzzo.it/content/parchi|title=Parchi|date=4 May 2018|access-date=|website=Regione Abruzzo|language=it|archive-date=28 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228153158/https://www.regione.abruzzo.it/content/parchi|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ilcapoluogo.it/2017/07/09/le-faggete-abruzzesi-patrimonio-dellunesco/ | title=Le faggete abruzzesi patrimonio dell'Unesco | date=9 July 2017 | work=Il Capoluogo | language=it | access-date=10 August 2022 | archive-date=10 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810122239/https://www.ilcapoluogo.it/2017/07/09/le-faggete-abruzzesi-patrimonio-dellunesco/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Administration==
{{Main|Politics of Abruzzo}}

Abruzzo is governed as a presidential [[representative democracy]] with a [[multi-party system]]. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the regional government. [[Legislative power]] is vested in both the government and the regional council.

The regional government (''Giunta regionale'') is presided over by the president of the region (''presidente della Regione''), who is elected for a five-year term. The government is composed of the president and eight ministers (''assessori''), including a vice president (''vicepresidente'') and an undersecretary (''sottosegretario'').<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.regione.abruzzo.it/portale/index.asp?modello=giunta&servizio=lista&stileDiv=mono&template=default&b=giunta |title=Regione Abruzzo – Giunta Regionale |access-date=28 February 2023 |archive-date=9 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209210022/http://www.regione.abruzzo.it/portale/index.asp?modello=giunta&servizio=lista&stileDiv=mono&template=default&b=giunta |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
[[File:Map of region of Abruzzo, Italy, with provinces-it.svg|thumb|Abruzzo provinces]]
Abruzzo is divided into four provinces:

{| class="wikitable centered"
|-
! style="background:#ccf;"|Province
! style="background:#ccf;" |Population
! style="background:#ccf;" |Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! style="background:#ccf;" |Density
(inh./km<sup>2</sup>)
! style="background:#ccf;" |Capital
! style="background:#ccf;" |Municipalities
|-
| [[Province of Chieti|Chieti]]
| 370,127
| 2,599.58
| 142.4
| [[Chieti]]
| 104
|-
| [[Province of L'Aquila|L'Aquila]]
| 286,681
| 5,047.55
| 56.8
| [[L'Aquila]]
| 108
|-
| [[Province of Pescara|Pescara]]
| 311,826
| 1,230.33
| 253.4
| [[Pescara]]
| 46
|-
| [[Province of Teramo|Teramo]]
| 299,796
| 1,954.38
| 153.4
| [[Teramo]]
| 47
|}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|1861 |858424|1871 |906001|1881 |946430|1901 |1070361|1911 |1116497|1921 |1131087|1931 |1168099|1936 |1201536|1951 |1277207|1961 |1206266|1971 |1166694|1981 |1217791|1991 |1249054|2001 |1262392|2011 |1307309|2021 |1275950|source=[[National Institute of Statistics (Italy)|ISTAT]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Popolazione residente dei comuni. Censimenti dal 1861 al 1991|trans-title=Resident population of the municipalities. Censuses from 1861 to 1991|url=https://ebiblio.istat.it/digibib/Censimenti%20popolazione/Censimentipopolazioneresidentedal1861/RML0050288Pop_res_cens_1861_1991.pdf|lang=it|publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics (Italy)|ISTAT]]}}</ref><ref name="timeseries">{{cite web |title=Resident population - Time series|url=https://esploradati.istat.it/databrowser/#/en/censpop/dashboards|publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics (Italy)|ISTAT]]}}</ref>|align=right|cols=1}}
[[File:Chieti001.jpg|thumb|left|[[Chieti]]]]
As of 2025, with a population density of 117.1 people per km<sup>2</sup>, the population density of Abruzzo is well below the national average of 195.1. Among the provinces, the density varies: [[Province of Pescara|Pescara]] is the most densely populated with 253.4 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>, whereas L'Aquila is the least densely populated, with 56.8 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>, although it has the largest area. 

The most serious demographic imbalance is between the mountainous areas of the interior and the coastal strip. The largest province, L'Aquila, is situated entirely in the interior and has the lowest population density. The movement of the population of Abruzzo from the mountains to the sea has led to the almost complete [[urbanization]] of the entire coastal strip, especially in the [[province of Teramo]] and Chieti. The effects on the interior have been impoverishment and demographic aging, reflected by an activity rate in the province of L'Aquila which is the lowest among the provinces in Abruzzo – accompanied by geological degradation as a result of the absence of conservation measures. 

In the coastal strip, there is such a jumble of accommodations and activities that the environment has been negatively affected. The policy of providing incentives for development has resulted in the setting-up of industrial zones, some of which ([[Vasto]], [[Avezzano]], [[Carsoli]], [[Gissi]], Val Vibrata, Val di Sangro) have made genuine progress, while others (Val Pescara, [[L'Aquila]]) have run into trouble after their initial success. The zones of [[Sulmona]] and [[Guardiagrele]] have turned out to be more or less failures. Outside these zones, the main activities are agriculture and tourism.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |title=Eurostat |url=http://circa.europa.eu/irc/dsis/regportraits/info/data/en/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201175658/http://circa.europa.eu/irc/dsis/regportraits/info/data/en/index.htm |archive-date=1 February 2009 |access-date=22 May 2009 |publisher=Europa (web portal)}}</ref>
In 2016, the ''[[Huffington Post]]'' placed Abruzzo in fifth position among the 12 best regions in the world for quality of life.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/media/Abruzzo-quinta-regione-al-mondo-come-qualita-della-vita-tra-i-12-migliori-posti-dove-vivere-933ffd6f-cf7d-4391-8a79-0fe6847d802e.html#foto-1 | title=Abruzzo, quinta regione al mondo come qualità della vita: Tra i 12 migliori posti dove vivere | date=3 August 2016 }}</ref>

=== Immigration ===
{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+Foreign population by country of birth (2024)<ref name="foreignborn" />
!Country of birth
!Population
|-
|{{flag|Romania}}
|20,526
|-
|{{flag|Albania}}
|14,572
|-
|{{flag|Switzerland}}
|10,884
|-
|{{flag|Morocco}}
|8,515
|-
|{{flag|Venezuela}}
|8,170
|-
|{{flag|Germany}}
|6,928
|-
|{{flag|Ukraine}}
|5,724
|-
|{{flag|North Macedonia}}
|3,856
|-
|{{flag|France}}
|3,492
|-
|{{flag|Argentina}}
|3,436
|-
|{{flag|Belgium}}
|3,371
|-
|{{flag|China}}
|2,915
|-
|{{flag|Brazil}}
|2,914
|-
|{{flag|Poland}}
|2,616
|-
|{{flag|Senegal}}
|2,594
|}
After decades of [[emigration]] from the region, the main feature of the 1980s was immigration from third world countries. The recent population increase was due to the positive net migration. 

As of 2024, the foreign-born population is 140,932, equal to 11.1% of the population. The 5 largest foreign nationalities are [[Romanians]] (20,526), [[Albanians]] (14,572), [[Swiss people|Swiss]] (10,884), [[Moroccans]] (8,515) and [[Venezuelans]] (8,170).<ref name="foreignborn">{{cite web |title=Resident population by sex, municipality and citizenship |url=https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=RCS&a=2024&l=en |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]]}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{See also|Economy of Abruzzo|Abruzzo (wine)|Tourism in Abruzzo}}
[[File:Montepulciano d Abruzzo 03 (RaBoe).jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[Montepulciano d'Abruzzo|Montepulciano]] grapes]]

Until a few decades ago, Abruzzo was a backward region of [[Southern Italy]]. Since the 1950s, Abruzzo has showed steady economic growth. In 1951, per capita income, or [[Gross domestic product|GDP]], was only 53% of that of wealthier [[Northern Italy]]. The gap has since narrowed, being 65% in 1971 and 76% by 1994. The region reached the highest per capita GDP of Southern Italy through the highest growth rate of every other [[Regions of Italy|region of Italy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eib.org/attachments/efs/eibpapers/eibpapers_2000_v05_n01/eibpapers_2000_v05_n01_a03_en.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.eib.org |access-date=5 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327082206/http://www.eib.org/attachments/efs/eibpapers/eibpapers_2000_v05_n01/eibpapers_2000_v05_n01_a03_en.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The unemployment rate stood at 9.3% in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=lfst_r_lfu3rt&lang=en|title=Unemployment NUTS 2 regions Eurostat|language=en|access-date=13 May 2021|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112004629/https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=lfst_r_lfu3rt&lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

Abruzzo is [[List of Italian regions by GDP|the 16th most productive region in the country]], and is [[List of Italian regions by GRP per capita|the 15th for GRP per capita]] among Italian regions.

As of 2003, Abruzzo's per capita GDP was €19,506, or 84% of the national average of €23,181, compared to the average value for Southern Italy of €15,808.<ref name="bancaditalia.it">{{cite web|url=http://www.bancaditalia.it/pubblicazioni/econo/ecore/2012/analisi_s_r/1215_abruzzo;internal&action=_setlanguage.action?LANGUAGE%3Den |title=Bank of Italy – No. 15 – Economic developments in Abruzzo |access-date=25 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201203055/http://www.bancaditalia.it/pubblicazioni/econo/ecore/2012/analisi_s_r/1215_abruzzo%3Binternal%26action%3D_setlanguage.action?LANGUAGE=en |archive-date=1 February 2014 }}</ref> In 2006, the region's average GDP per capita was approximately 20,100 EUR.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/09/23&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |title=EUROPA Press Releases – Regional GDP per inhabitant in the EU27, GDP per inhabitant in 2006 ranged from 25% of the EU27 average in Nord-Est in Romania to 336% in Inner London |publisher=Europa (web portal) |date=19 February 2009 |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-date=27 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127054048/http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/09/23&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |url-status=live }}</ref> The construction of [[Autostrade of Italy|motorways]] from Rome to [[Teramo]] ([[Autostrada A24 (Italy)|A24]]) and Rome to [[Pescara]] ([[Autostrada A25 (Italy)|A25]]), which provided better access to the region, is credited as a driver of public and private investments.

The [[2009 L'Aquila earthquake]] led to a sharp economic slowdown. However, according to statistics at the end of 2010, some signals of recovery were noted.<ref name="bancaditalia.it" /> Regional economic growth was recorded as 1.47%, which actually placed Abruzzo fourth among Italy's regions after [[Lazio]], [[Lombardy]], and [[Calabria]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.autorita.energia.it/allegati/inglese/annual_report/annual_report_2006.pdf | title=Economic and energy framework in 2005 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613112109/http://www.autorita.energia.it/allegati/inglese/annual_report/annual_report_2006.pdf | archive-date=13 June 2010| url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, Abruzzo's economic growth was +2.3%, the highest percentage among the regions of Southern Italy.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/44799/1/319155617.pdf | title=Abruzzo and Sicily: Catching up and lagging behind | access-date=15 August 2016 | author=Helg, Rodolfo|author2=Peri, Giovanni|author3=Viesti, Gianfranco | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219115829/http://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/44799/1/319155617.pdf | archive-date=19 February 2014| url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Industry ===
[[Image:Pastificio De Cecco, Fara San Martino.jpg|thumb|right|[[De Cecco]] factory in Fara San Martino]]

From the early 1950s to the mid-1990s, Abruzzo's industrial sector expanded rapidly, especially in [[mechanical engineering]], transportation equipment, and [[telecommunications]].<ref name="eib.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.eib.org/attachments/efs/eibpapers/eibpapers_2000_v05_n01/eibpapers_2000_v05_n01_a03_en.pdf |title=Abruzzo and Sicily: Catching up and lagging behind, EIB Papers vol. 5, No. 1 (2000) |access-date=22 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327082206/http://www.eib.org/attachments/efs/eibpapers/eibpapers_2000_v05_n01/eibpapers_2000_v05_n01_a03_en.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 }}</ref> The structure of production in the region reflects the transformation of the economy from agriculture to industry and services. The industrial sector relies on few large enterprises and the predominance of small and medium enterprises. In the [[research|applied research]] field, there are major institutes and enterprises involved in the fields of [[pharmaceutics]], [[biomedicine]], [[electronics]], [[aerospace]], and [[nuclear physics]]. The industrial infrastructure is dispersed throughout the region in industrial zones. The most important of these are: Val Pescara, Val di Sangro, Val Trigno, Val Vibrata, and Conca del Fucino.

The [[province of Teramo]] is one of the most industrialized areas of Italy and of the region, with numerous small and medium-sized companies,<ref>[http://ricerca.gelocal.it/ilcentro/archive/ilcentro/2008/02/04/CR2PO_CR201.html Abruzzo, the number of companies grows]</ref> then follows the [[province of Chieti]] and that of [[Pescara]], which is also supported by [[tourism]]. The Val Vibrata (province of Teramo), on the border with the [[Marche]] region, is home to a myriad of small and medium-sized enterprises, especially in the [[textile]] and footwear sectors. The Val di Sangro (province of Chieti), on the other hand, is home to important multinationals and a factory belonging to the [[Fiat]] ([[Sevel]]) group. The area of [[Valle Peligna]] (province of L'Aquila) is home to the famous industry of [[Sulmona]] sugared almonds. Other areas, such as Pescara and Theatine, are home to numerous industries, including multinationals (for example [[De Cecco]], [[Procter & Gamble]], Monti & Ambrosini Editori, Brioni, Ennedue, and [[Miss Sixty]]), mostly concentrated in the industrial district of Val Pescara in the province of Chieti.

===Agriculture===
[[File:Centerba.jpg|right|thumb|[[Centerba]], typical liquor of Abruzzo]]
Agriculture, based on small holdings, has modernised and produces high-quality products. The mostly small-scale producers are active in wine, [[cereal]]s, [[sugar beet]], potatoes, olives, vegetables, fruit, and [[dairy product]]s. Traditional products are [[saffron]] and [[liquorice]]. By the late 20th and early 21st centuries, [[Montepulciano d'Abruzzo]], the region's most famous wine, had become one of the most widely exported DOC-classed wines in Italy.<ref name="Vino Italiano">J. Bastianich & D. Lynch ''Vino Italiano'' pg 280–283 Crown Publishing 2005 {{ISBN|1-4000-9774-6}}</ref>

The region produces about 850,000 [[quintal]]s of fruit, 5 million quintals of vegetables, 1,600,000 quintals of potatoes, and 5,000,000 quintals of grapes, produced both for eating and for winemaking; the latter is estimated at between 3 and 4 million hectoliters, with the production of wines such as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo in the red and cerasuolo (rosé) varieties, [[Trebbiano d'Abruzzo]], Pecorino, and the Chardonnay; oil production, on the other hand, stands at 1,350,000 quintals of olives and 240,000 quintals of [[cooking oil|oil]] (''Aprutino Pescarese'', ''Pretuziano delle Colline Teramane'' and ''Colline Teatine''), figures that put Abruzzo in sixth place among the Italian regions. As for cereals, the [[durum wheat]] with over 1.5 million quintals constitutes the main cereal, followed by [[soft wheat]] (one million quintals), then [[Hordeum vulgare|barley]] (0.5 million quintals ); other crops are also grown, among them [[beetroot]] (2,500,000 quintals) and [[tobacco]] (45,000 quintals).{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

===Tourism===

[[File:Campotosto_lake.JPG|thumb|right|Campotosto Artificial Lake]]
Tourism is an important economic sector;<ref name=":0" /> in the past decade, tourism has increased, mainly centered on its national parks and natural reserves,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/en/parchi-e-natura|title=Parchi e Natura &#124; Regione Abruzzo – Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio|website=www.abruzzoturismo.it|access-date=6 February 2022|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126210218/https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/en/parchi-e-natura|url-status=live}}</ref> ski and beach resorts,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/en/comprensori-sciistici-en|title=Comprensori sciistici &#124; Regione Abruzzo – Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio|website=www.abruzzoturismo.it|access-date=6 February 2022|archive-date=6 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206131024/https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/en/comprensori-sciistici-en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/en/mare|title=Mare &#124; Regione Abruzzo – Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio|website=www.abruzzoturismo.it|access-date=6 February 2022|archive-date=5 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205133831/https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/mare|url-status=live}}</ref> in particular along the [[Trabocchi Coast]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/en/costa-dei-trabocchi-en|title=Costa dei trabocchi &#124; Regione Abruzzo – Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio|website=www.abruzzoturismo.it|access-date=6 February 2022|archive-date=5 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205205742/https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/costa-dei-trabocchi-en|url-status=live}}</ref> Abruzzo's castles and medieval towns,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/en/art-faith-and-culture|title=Art Faith and Culture &#124; Regione Abruzzo – Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio|website=www.abruzzoturismo.it|access-date=6 February 2022|archive-date=25 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125183342/https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/en/art-faith-and-culture|url-status=live}}</ref> especially in the area of [[L'Aquila]], have led to the creation of the nickname of "Abruzzoshire", along [[Tuscany]]'s "[[Chiantishire]]". In spite of this, Abruzzo is still "off the beaten path" for most visitors to Italy.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.italia.it/en/discover-italy/abruzzo.html|title=Abruzzo|work=Italian Tourism Official Website|date=21 December 2009|access-date=18 December 2015|archive-date=14 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114180529/http://www.italia.it/en/discover-italy/abruzzo.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Very popular with visitors from all over Italy and Europe are the natural parks of the region, such as [[Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/destinazioni/parco-nazionale-dabruzzo-lazio-e-molise|title = Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> [[Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/destinazioni/parco-nazionale-del-gran-sasso-e-monti-della-laga|title = Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains National Park &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> [[Maiella National Park]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/destinazioni/parco-nazionale-della-maiella-geoparco-unesco|title=Majella National park &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> and regional park [[Sirente Velino Regional Park|Sirente Velino]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/destinazioni/parco-naturale-regionale-del-sirente-velino|title = Sirente Velino Park &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> which every year see thousands of visitors, who are attracted by the unspoiled nature and rare wild [[fauna]] and [[flora]] species such as Abruzzo chamois, with the region boasting many reserves and protected natural areas<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/riserve-naturali-en|title=Riserve Naturali &#124; Regione Abruzzo – Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio|access-date=17 March 2023|archive-date=17 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317205149/https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/riserve-naturali-en|url-status=dead}}</ref> and lakes<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/laghi-en|title=Laghi &#124; Regione Abruzzo – Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio|access-date=17 March 2023|archive-date=17 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317203643/https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/laghi-en|url-status=dead}}</ref> ([[Campotosto Lake]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/riserva-naturale-lago-di-campotosto-campotosto-aq|title=Riserva Naturale Lago di Campotosto – Campotosto (AQ) &#124; Regione Abruzzo – Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio|access-date=17 March 2023|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329131240/https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/riserva-naturale-lago-di-campotosto-campotosto-aq|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Lago di Scanno]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/it/lago-di-scanno-aq|title=Lago di Scanno (AQ) &#124; Regione Abruzzo &#124; Dipartimento Sviluppo Economico – Turismo|access-date=17 March 2023|archive-date=17 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317202140/https://abruzzoturismo.it/it/lago-di-scanno-aq|url-status=dead}}</ref>). 
[[File:Gran Sasso National Park Landscape.jpg|thumb|right|[[Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park]]]]

In the inland mountain areas there are the ski resorts of [[Scanno, Abruzzo|Scanno]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/scanno-passo-godi|title = Scanno &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> [[Ovindoli]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/ovindoli-monte-magnola|title = Ovindoli &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> [[Pescasseroli]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/pescasseroli|title = Pescasseroli &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> [[Roccaraso]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/roccaraso-rivisondoli|title = Roccaraso &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> [[Campo Imperatore]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/campo-imperatore|title = Campo Imperatore &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> Campo Felice,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/campo-felice|title=Campo Felice &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> [[Rivisondoli]], [[Pescocostanzo]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/pescocostanzo|title=Pescocostanzo &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> and Pianoro Campitelli,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/pianoro-campitelli|title = Pianoro Campitelli &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> where winter tourism is highly developed. Visitors engage in sports such as [[alpine skiing]], [[snowboarding]], [[ski mountaineering]], [[ski touring]], [[cross-country skiing]], and [[dog sledding]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skiabruzzo.com/skiing-in-abruzzo |title=Ski Abruzzo - Skiing in Abruzzo |website=www.skiabruzzo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209010913/http://www.skiabruzzo.com/skiing-in-abruzzo |archive-date=2012-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skiabruzzo.com/where-to-stay |title=Ski Abruzzo - Where to stay |website=www.skiabruzzo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209010734/http://www.skiabruzzo.com/where-to-stay |archive-date=2012-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skiabruzzo.com/ski-hire-equipment-rental-ski-schools |title=Ski Abruzzo - Ski Hire - Ski Schools - Equipment Rental |website=www.skiabruzzo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215082838/http://www.skiabruzzo.com/ski-hire-equipment-rental-ski-schools |archive-date=2013-12-15}}</ref> Other trails and facilities are in Passolanciano-Majelletta,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/passolanciano-majelletta|title = La Maielletta &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> Campo Rotondo,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/camporotondo|title=Campo Rotondo di Cappadocia &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> [[Campo di Giove]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/campo-di-giove|title = Campo di Giove &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> Piani di pezza,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/piani-di-pezza|title = Piani di pezza&#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> Voltigno,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/voltigno|title = Voltigno &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> Centomonti,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/centomonti|title = Centomonti&#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> Macchiarvana,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/macchiarvana|title=Macchiarvana &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> Monte Piselli.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/impianti-sciistici/monte-piselli|title=Monte Piselli &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio}}</ref> 
[[File:La_Costa_Dei_Trabocchi_-_panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|Trabocchi Coast, Fossacesia]]

Also of considerable importance is summer coastal and seaside tourism, which sees the presence of numerous tourist bathing establishments equipped in various centers of the coast such as [[Montesilvano]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/destination/montesilvano | title=Montesilvano &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio }}</ref> [[Pineto]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/destination/pineto | title=Pineto &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio }}</ref> [[Roseto degli Abruzzi]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/destination/roseto-degli-abruzzi | title=Roseto degli Abruzzi (TE) &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio }}</ref> [[Giulianova]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/destination/giulianova | title=Giulianova &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio }}</ref> [[Alba Adriatica]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/destination/alba-adriatica| title=Alba Adriatica &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio }}</ref> [[Tortoreto]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/destination/tortoreto | title=Tortoreto &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio }}</ref> [[Francavilla al Mare]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/destination/francavilla-al-mare | title=Francavilla al Mare &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio }}</ref> [[Ortona]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/destination/ortona | title=Ortona &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio }}</ref> [[Vasto]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/destination/vasto| title=Vasto &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio }}</ref> [[Martinsicuro]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/destination/martinsicuro | title=Martinsicuro &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio }}</ref> [[Silvi Marina]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/destination/silvi | title=Silvi &#124; Regione Abruzzo - Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio }}</ref> and the [[Trabocchi Coast]].<ref name="auto1"/>
[[File:Santuario San Gabriele dell'Addolorata Abruzzo 03.JPG|thumb|right|[[St. Gabriel's shrine]]]]
Finally, tourism for historical and cultural purposes is also important, concentrated above all in the cities of [[Lanciano]], [[Chieti]], [[Teramo]], [[Vasto]], [[Giulianova]], [[Sulmona]], and in particular [[L'Aquila]], which boasts many monuments, museums, castles, and churches ([[St. Gabriel's shrine]]<ref>{{cite web |website = Abruzzo Turismo| url= https://abruzzoturismo.it/it/santuario-di-san-gabriele-delladdolorata-isola-del-gran-sasso-te | title=Santuario di San Gabriele dell'Addolorata – Isola del Gran Sasso (TE) | archive-date=17 March 2023 |language = it| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317203646/https://abruzzoturismo.it/it/santuario-di-san-gabriele-delladdolorata-isola-del-gran-sasso-te | url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Santa Maria di Collemaggio]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.abruzzoheritage.com/magazine/2001_06/0106_a.htm |title=Santa Maria di Collemaggio, L'Aquila|website=www.abruzzoheritage.com |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20050308003334/http://www.abruzzoheritage.com/magazine/2001_06/0106_a.htm |archive-date=8 March 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>) are of national importance. [[Pescara]], despite being a modern city, boasts monuments, churches, and museums of historical importance such as the [[Birthplace of Gabriele D'Annunzio Museum]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/it/museo-casa-natale-di-gabriele-dannunzio-pescara|title=Museo Casa Natale di Gabriele d'Annunzio – Pescara &#124; Regione Abruzzo &#124; Dipartimento Sviluppo Economico – Turismo|access-date=17 March 2023|archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230317202140/https://abruzzoturismo.it/it/museo-casa-natale-di-gabriele-dannunzio-pescara|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the inland mountain areas, there are [[I Borghi più belli d'Italia|ancient villages]], castles, hermitages, sanctuaries, abbeys, and ancient churches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/en/borghi|title=Villages &#124; Regione Abruzzo – Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio|website=www.abruzzoturismo.it|access-date=17 March 2023|archive-date=17 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317203700/https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/en/borghi|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto"/>
[[File:Abruzzo, travel poster for ENIT (LOC cph.3g12505).jpg|thumb|150px|right|Travel poster from the 1920s]]
Abruzzo has many small and picturesque villages. 26 of them have been selected by {{lang|it|[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia]]}} ({{langx|en|The most beautiful Villages of Italy}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/abruzzo/|title=Abruzzo|date=4 January 2017|access-date=1 August 2023|language=it|archive-date=2 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002215548/https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/abruzzo/|url-status=live}}</ref> a nonprofit private association of small Italian towns of strong historical and artistic interest,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2023/01/16/news/borghi_piu_belli_italia_14_nuovi_2023-383794441/|title=Borghi più belli d'Italia. Le 14 novità 2023, dal Trentino alla Calabria|date=16 January 2023|access-date=28 July 2023|language=it|archive-date=28 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128130709/https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2023/01/16/news/borghi_piu_belli_italia_14_nuovi_2023-383794441/|url-status=live}}</ref> that was founded on the initiative of the Tourism Council of the National Association of Italian Municipalities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://borghipiubelliditalia.it/|title=I Borghi più belli d'Italia, la guida online ai piccoli centri dell'Italia nascosta|access-date=3 May 2018|language=it|archive-date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225095744/http://www.borghipiubelliditalia.it/index.php|url-status=live}}</ref> These villages are:
[[File:Veduta di Pacentro.jpg|thumb|[[Pacentro]] is one of "[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia|The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy]]".]]
* [[Abbateggio]]
* [[Anversa degli Abruzzi]]
* [[Bugnara]]
* [[Campli]]
* [[Caramanico Terme]]
* [[Casoli]]
* [[Castel del Monte, Abruzzo|Castel del Monte]]
* [[Castelli, Abruzzo|Castelli]]
* [[Città Sant'Angelo]]
* [[Civitella del Tronto]]
* [[Crecchio]]
* [[Guardiagrele]]
* [[Navelli]]
* [[Opi, Abruzzo|Opi]]
* [[Pacentro]]
* [[Palena, Abruzzo|Palena]]
* [[Penne, Abruzzo|Penne]]
* [[Pescocostanzo]]
* [[Pettorano sul Gizio]]
* [[Pietracamela]]
* [[Pretoro]]
* [[Rocca San Giovanni]]
* [[Santo Stefano di Sessanio]]
* [[Scanno, Abruzzo|Scanno]]
* [[Tagliacozzo]]
* [[Villalago]]

== Transport ==
{{See also|Abruzzo International Airport|Port of Pescara|Adriatic railway|Autostrada A14 (Italy)|Autostrada A24 (Italy)|Autostrada A25 (Italy)}}

=== Airports ===
*[[Abruzzo International Airport]] is the only international airport in the region. Open to civilian traffic since 1996, the number of passengers has increased over the years because of low-cost air carriers' use of the facility. Today, the airport has a [[catchment area]] of over 500,000 passengers annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abruzzoairport.com/default.aspx?lang=en |title=Abruzzo International Airport – flights information Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy |publisher=Abruzzoairport.com |access-date=12 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312111118/http://www.abruzzoairport.com/default.aspx?lang=en |archive-date=12 March 2013 }}</ref>
*[[L'Aquila-Preturo Airport]] is located near L'Aquila, but remains underused.

=== Ports ===

[[File:Marina di Pescara, December 2014.jpg|The [[port of Pescara]] | thumb | right]]
There are four main ports in Abruzzo: [[Port of Pescara|Pescara]], [[Ortona]], [[Vasto]], and [[Giulianova]].

Over the years, the Port of Pescara has become one of the most important tourist ports of Italy and the [[Adriatic Sea]]. Heavily damaged in World War II, it underwent major renovations for roughly sixty years. It now consists of a modern marina with advanced moorings and shipbuilding facilities. It has been awarded the [[European Union]]'s blue flag for its services. The port of Pescara has lost passenger traffic because of its shallowness and silting, but its fishery and [[aquaculture]] activities are thriving.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marinape.com/eng/index.aspx |title=Marina of Pescara |publisher=Marinape.com |date=31 January 2011 |access-date=12 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615044113/http://www.marinape.com/eng/index.aspx |archive-date=15 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Railways===
There is a significant disparity between the railways of the Abruzzo coast and the inland areas, which badly need modernization to improve the service, in particular the Rome-Pescara line.

Existing railway lines:

* [[Adriatic railway]] runs through the whole of Italy from north to south, along the Adriatic Sea.<!-- The question that interests the Abruzzo region is included in the Towns of [[Martinsicuro]] and [[San Salvo]]. Unless, that delimit the borders with [[Marche]] and [[Molise]] regions, namely, the {{convert|113|km|2|abbr=on}} between the stations of intercurrent [[Alba Adriatica]]-[[Nereto]]-[[Controguerra]] and [[San Salvo]]. The interchanges are made by the respective railway lines [[Giulianova]], [[Teramo]] and Pescara-Rome.-->
* Rome – Sulmona – Pescara<!-- Pescara-Rome railway line is along the railway line [[Bologna]]-[[Bari]] on the Adriatic sea other line is important because through the [[Tyrrhenian Sea|Tyrrhenian]] coast, passing through the provinces of Pescara, Chieti and L'Aquila and ends the path to [[Roma Tiburtina railway station]]. The railway, which covers the Abruzzo Region, extends for {{convert|170|km|mi}}, ranging from municipalities to the province of [[Pescara]] [[Carsoli]], [[Oricola]] and [[Pereto]]. The infrastructure in question is the following interchanges: [[Sulmona]], [[Isernia]], [[Terni]] – Sulmona, [[Avezzano]]- [[Roccasecca]], [[Bologna]] and [[Bari]].-->
* Sulmona – Carpinone<!--: the infrastructure in question is a continuation to the south of Terni-[[Sulmona]], as part of the intermediate cross-Pescara – [[Naples]]. After that [[Brenner, South Tyrol|Brenner]] is the highest railway station in Italy, whose tortuous path, characterized by steep slopes, passing through the station [[Rivisondoli]]-[[Pescocostanzo]] and wedges in the Abruzzo National Park and the [[Maiella]]. The line is the interchanges of railway lines Rome-Pescara and [[Sulmona]] – L'Aquila – [[Rieti]] – Terni. Reached [[Carpinone]], divides west to east to [[Benevento]] and [[Caserta]].-->
* [[Terni–Sulmona railway|Sulmona–Terni railway]]<!--: Trafficking in question connects the regions of [[Umbria]], [[Lazio]], Abruzzo and [[Molise]] and then along the line-Carpinone [[Sulmona]]. It, therefore, crosses the inner Abruzzo, finding interchanges Avezzano and Pescara-Rome-[[Roccasecca]], in their respective provinces of L'Aquila, Terni and Rieti. It concerns a type of regional traffic in that, across the [[Tyrrhenian Sea|Tyrrhenian]] perpendicular colleague Abruzzo, Umbria, Lazio and [[Molise]]. The question of interest is included in the Abruzzo town of [[Sulmona]] and [[Tornimparte]] and more precisely in the stations {{convert|75|km|mi}} intercurrent [[Sulmona]] and saddle horn.-->
* Avezzano railroad – Roccasecca<!--: infrastructure test starts on the track in the town of Avezzano, crosses the territory of Marsica, passes through the valley and Bush get into the Lazio region, in the town of [[Sora, Lazio|Sora]]. Her journey ends in the town of Roccasecca which marks the end of Lazio and the entry in the [[Campania]] region towards [[Cassino]]. Therefore, the only online exchange that meets the railway line is Pescara – Rome station Avezzano.-->
* [[Giulianova]] – [[Teramo]]<!-- (a branch railway line Adriatic you forward towards the interior until Teramo) railway line Giulianova – Teramo, the network is complementary to the Adriatic, fulfilling a liaison function between the capital and the coast. Therefore, the only rail interchange is characterized by the Adriatic railway line [[Bologna]] – [[Bari]], Abruzzo is [[Martinsicuro]] rail-Broad-[[San Salvo]]. With its {{convert|24|km|mi}} journey infrastructure is the result, an SS80 along the path to the location of the industrial districts of Teramo, before merging the SS 16 that accesses the port Giulianova.-->
* Sangritana ([[Lanciano]] – [[Castel di Sangro]])<!--''': The infrastructure in question are an important transition between the [[Tyrrhenian Sea|Tyrrhenian]] and Adriatic Sea, as in Pescara station meets the respective points of connection of the FS [[Bologna]] – [[Bari]] and Pescara – Rome, while that of [[Sulmona]], L'Aquila lines FS – Terni and [[Sulmona]] – [[Carpinone]]. This position transition, attributed to the infrastructure an important strategic military role in [[World War II]], a stage when the bombing of the German armed forces air, marked the temporary suspension of the subject line of repair work. Like other regional railways direct L'Aquila, Sulmona and Roccasecca, through a circuitous route mountain typically characterized by steep slopes, although in terms of localization of production facilities is to signal the passage of the railway in the industrial area of Valle del Sangro.-->

===Highways===
[[File:Ponte Salinello.jpg|thumb|Salinello Bridge on the [[Autostrada A14 (Italy)|A14]] ]]

There are three highways that serve the region:
* [[Autostrada A24 (Italy)|A24]] (Rome – L'Aquila – Teramo) was built in the 1970s and connects Rome with the Adriatic coast in less than two hours. The [[Traforo del Gran Sasso|Gran Sasso tunnel]], the longest road tunnel entirely on Italian territory, was opened in 1984.

<!--Numerous roads connecting adjacent junction as directional Torano it branches in the [[Autostrada A25 (Italy)|A25]] to [[Pescara]], [[Teramo]] to [[Giulianova]] on SS80, SS81 to Chieti and on the [[Autostrada A14 (Italy)|A14]] [[Bologna]]-[[Taranto]], exit on the freeway Rieti Valley Jump -Terni, exit west on SS80 to L'Aquila-Teramo, near [[Tivoli, Lazio|Tivoli]] and the connection to the [[Autostrada A1 (Italy)|A1]] motorway allows easy connections with Naples and [[Milan]], the highway construction has contributed greatly to the economic development of the region.-->
* [[Autostrada A25 (Italy)|A25]] (Torano – Avezzano – Pescara) connects Rome with Pescara. The road branches off A24 in [[Torano di Borgorose|Torano]], spans the [[Fucino]] basin, crosses the Apennines, and merges with [[Autostrada A14 (Italy)|A14]] near Pescara.
* A14 [[Bologna]] – [[Taranto]] known as the [[Autostrada A14 (Italy)|"Adriatica"]], includes {{convert|743|km|2|abbr=on}} of dual-carriage motorway between Bologna and Taranto.<!-- Abruzzo is the infrastructure in question, including the toll road of South Broad and Val Vibrata, which marks the border between the Marche and Molise. Regarding the links, the [[Autostrada A14 (Italy)|A14]] meets the SS16 and the SS652 Bottom Sangro Valley near Broad and SS80 in [[Giulianova]].-->

==Culture==
{{See also|Music of Abruzzo|List of museums in Abruzzo}}
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| caption1          = [[Castel del Monte (Abruzzo)|Castel del Monte]], one of Abruzzo's little-known hill towns
| caption2          = Fishing [[trabucco]] of [[San Vito Chietino]]
}}

The museum [[Museo Archeologico Nazionale d'Abruzzo]] in Chieti houses the famed statue ''[[Warrior of Capestrano]],'' which was found in a necropolis of the 6th century BC. Across the region, among the prominent cultural and historical buildings are: [[Teramo Cathedral]], its archeological museum and the Roman theater, the Castello della Monica, the [[Collurania-Teramo Observatory]], the famous [[L'Aquila]] Basilica of [[Santa Maria di Collemaggio]] (which holds the remains of [[Pope Celestine V]]), the [[Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo]], [[Santa Maria del Suffragio, L'Aquila|Santa Maria del Suffragio]], the [[Forte Spagnolo]], the Fountain of 99 Spouts, [[Gabriele D'Annunzio]]'s house in [[Pescara]], [[Campli]]'s [[Scala Sancta]] and its church, the church of Santissima Annunziata in [[Sulmona]], the cathedrals of [[Chieti Cathedral|Chieti]], [[Lanciano]], [[Guardiagrele]], [[Atri, Abruzzo|Atri]], and Pescara, along with the castles of [[Ortona]], [[Celano]], and [[Ortucchio]].
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| caption1          = [[San Liberatore a Maiella|Abbazia di San Liberatore a Majella]] ([[Serramonacesca]])
| caption2          = Cathedral of San Giustino ([[Chieti]])
}}

Every year on 28–29 August, L'Aquila's [[Santa Maria di Collemaggio]] commemorates the [[Perdonanza Celestiniana]], the indulgence issued by [[Pope Celestine V]] to anyone who "truly repentant and confessed" would visit that Church from the Vespers of the vigil to the vespers of 29 August.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.italyheritage.com/magazine/2002_05/f.htm|title=The Perdonanza with images of 1998, 1999 and 2000|website=www.italyheritage.com|access-date=15 June 2019|archive-date=10 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410105605/https://www.italyheritage.com/magazine/2002_05/f.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Sulmona's [[Holy Week]] is commemorated with traditional celebrations and rituals, such as "La Madonna che scappa in piazza", when a large statue of the [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]], carried by a group of local fraternities, is carried across the square in procession.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/07/travel/in-sulmona-easter-drama-in-the-piazza.html|title=In Sulmona, Easter Drama in the Piazza|date=7 April 1985|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=4 February 2017|archive-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603003126/http://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/07/travel/in-sulmona-easter-drama-in-the-piazza.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Cocullo]], in the province of L'Aquila, holds the annual "Festa dei serpari" (festival of snake handlers) in which a statue of [[Saint Dominic|St. Dominic]], covered with live snakes, is carried in a procession through the town; it attracts thousands of Italian and foreign visitors. In many Abruzzo villages, [[Anthony the Great]]'s feast is celebrated in January with massive, scenic bonfires.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deliciousitaly.com/guide/central-italy-regions/abruzzo-guide/abruzzo-itineraries/item/1063-sulmona.html|title=Delicious Italy Easter in Sulmona|author=Delicious Italy Team|access-date=28 January 2014|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202091824/http://www.deliciousitaly.com/guide/central-italy-regions/abruzzo-guide/abruzzo-itineraries/item/1063-sulmona.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the past, the region of Abruzzo was well known for the [[transumanza]], the seasonal movement of sheep flocks; these used to travel mostly southbound towards the region of [[Apulia|Puglia]] during the cold winter months.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abruzzomoliseheritagesociety.org/TRATTURIeTRANSUMANZA.pdf | title=Along the Shepherd's Tracks Tratturi and Transumanza | author=Lucio D'Andrea | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005050344/http://www.abruzzomoliseheritagesociety.org/TRATTURIeTRANSUMANZA.pdf | archive-date=5 October 2011}}</ref> The Feast of [[St. Biagio]], protector of wool dealers, is celebrated across the region. On the third of February in [[Taranta Peligna]], every year since the sixteenth century, an evocative ritual is held: ''panicelle'', or small loaves made of flour and water, in the shape of a blessing hand, are distributed among the faithful.
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| caption1          = [[Ovid]], from [[Sulmona]]
| caption2          = [[Gabriele d'Annunzio]], from [[Pescara]]
}}

Historical figures from the region include: the Roman orator [[Gaius Asinius Pollio (consul 40 BC)|Asinius Pollio]]; [[Latin]] poets [[Sallust]] and [[Ovid]], who were born in L'Aquila and Sulmona respectively, [[Gaius Cassius Longinus]], Roman senator and leading instigator of the plot to kill [[Julius Caesar]]. [[Pontius Pilate]] is said to have been native to the region. Abruzzo's religious personalities include [[Saint Berardo]]; [[John of Capistrano]]; [[Thomas of Celano]], author of three [[hagiography|hagiographies]] of [[Francis of Assisi|Saint Francis of Assisi]]; and [[Alessandro Valignano]], who introduced [[Catholicism]] to the [[Far East]] and Japan. The Polish [[Pope John Paul II]] loved the mountains of Abruzzo, where he would retire often and pray in the church of San Pietro della Ienca.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/pope-john-paul-ii-blood-stolen-church-italy|title=Pope John Paul II's blood stolen from church in Italy |work=[[The Guardian]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128070620/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/pope-john-paul-ii-blood-stolen-church-italy|agency=Reuters|archive-date=28 January 2014|quote=In 2011, John Paul [II]'s former private secretary, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, gave the local Abruzzo community some of the late pontiff's blood as a token of the love he had felt for the mountainous area.}}</ref> Local personalities in the humanities include: poet [[Ignazio Silone]], movie director [[Ennio Flaiano]] who co-wrote ''[[La dolce vita]]'', philosopher [[Benedetto Croce]], poet [[Gabriele D'Annunzio]], composer [[Paolo Tosti]], sculptor [[Venanzo Crocetti]], and artist [[LorenzoArs]].

American artists and celebrities such as: [[Dean Martin]], [[Perry Como]], [[Henry Mancini]], [[Nancy Pelosi]], [[Rocky Marciano]], [[Rocky Mattioli]], [[Bruno Sammartino]], [[Mario Batali]], [[John Fante|John]] and [[Dan Fante]], [[Tommy Lasorda]], [[Dan Marino]], [[Mario Lanza]], [[Garry Marshall]], [[Penny Marshall]], [[Ariana Grande]], and [[Al Martino]] trace part of their family roots to Abruzzo.

Some international movies shot in Abruzzo include ''[[The American (2010 film)|The American]]'', [[Jean-Jacques Annaud]]'s ''[[The Name of the Rose (film)|The Name of the Rose]]'', [[Federico Fellini|Fellini]]'s ''[[La Strada]]'' and ''[[I Vitelloni]]'', [[Arnold Schwarzenegger|Schwarzenegger]]'s ''[[Red Sonja (1985 film)|Red Sonja]]'', ''[[Ladyhawke (film)|Ladyhawke]]'', ''[[King David (film)|King David]]'', ''[[Francesco (1989 film)|Francesco]]'', ''[[Keoma (film)|Keoma]]'', ''[[The Barbarians (1987 film)|The Barbarians]]'', ''[[The Fox and the Child]],'' and ''[[Krull (film)|Krull]]''.

===Medieval and Renaissance hill towns===
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| caption1          = The fortress of [[Civitella del Tronto|Civitella]] is the most visited monument in Abruzzo.
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Before the 2009 earthquake, Abruzzo was the region with the highest number of castles and hill towns in Italy. It still holds many of Italy's best-preserved medieval and Renaissance hill towns, twenty-three of which are among ''[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/|title=Homepage|website=I Borghi più Belli d'Italia|access-date=15 June 2019|archive-date=16 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916190502/https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/|url-status=live}}</ref> This listing recognises their scenic beauty, arts and culture, their historical importance, and quality of life.

The abrupt decline of Abruzzo's agricultural economy in the early to mid-20th-century spared some of the region's historic hill towns from modern development. Many lie entirely within regional and [[national park]]s. Among the most well preserved are [[Castel del Monte (Abruzzo)|Castel del Monte]] and [[Santo Stefano di Sessanio]], within the [[Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park|Gran Sasso National Park]] on the edge of the high plain of [[Campo Imperatore]] and nestled beneath the Apennines' highest peaks. Both hill towns, which were ruled by the [[House of Medici|Medicis]] for over a century-and-a-half, see relatively little tourism. Between the two towns sits [[Rocca Calascio]], the ruin of an ancient fortress popular with filmmakers. Both [[Monteferrante]] and [[Roccascalegna]] are two of the most representative Abruzzo villages in the province of Chieti. Within the Gran Sasso National Park is also found [[Castelli (Teramo)|Castelli]], an ancient pottery center whose artisans produced ceramics for most of the royal houses of Europe.
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| caption1          = View of [[Casoli]]
| caption2          = Medieval village of [[Scanno, Abruzzo|Scanno]]
}}

[[Civitella del Tronto]] played a crucial role in the history of the [[Italian unification|unification of Italy]]. The fortress of Civitella is the most visited monument in the Abruzzo region today.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.corriere.it/cultura/speciali/2010/visioni-d-italia/notizie/3civitella-del-tronto-Serenissimi-e-borbonici-insieme-per-disfare-l-Italia_b3bc7456-550c-11df-a414-00144f02aabe.shtml|title=Serenissimi e borbonici insieme per disfare l'Italia|website=www.corriere.it|access-date=15 June 2019|archive-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507165718/https://www.corriere.it/cultura/speciali/2010/visioni-d-italia/notizie/3civitella-del-tronto-Serenissimi-e-borbonici-insieme-per-disfare-l-Italia_b3bc7456-550c-11df-a414-00144f02aabe.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Other medieval hill towns located within Abruzzo's [[park system]] are [[Pacentro]] in the [[Maiella National Park]] and [[Pescasseroli]] in the [[Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park|Abruzzo National Park]]. Pacentro, which features a 14th-century castle with two intact towers, has been little touched by modernisation. The Shrine of [[Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows]], in the [[province of Teramo]], which attracts some two million visitors per year, is one of the 15 most-visited sanctuaries in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://turismo.provincia.teramo.it/art-and-culture/churches/shrine-of-saint-gabriele-dell92addolorata-96-isola-del-gran-sasso/?set_language=en|title=Shrine of Saint Gabriele dell'Addolorata – Isola del Gran Sassoo|publisher=turismo.provincia.teramo.it|access-date=23 January 2014|archive-date=7 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207123847/http://turismo.provincia.teramo.it/art-and-culture/churches/shrine-of-saint-gabriele-dell92addolorata-96-isola-del-gran-sasso/?set_language=en|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Capestrano]], a small town in the province of L'Aquila, is the hometown of Saint [[John of Capistrano]], [[Order of Friars Minor|Franciscan]] [[friar]] and [[Catholic priest]], as well as the namesake of the Franciscan mission [[Mission San Juan Capistrano|San Juan Capistrano]] in [[Southern California]], the mission [[Mission San Juan Capistrano (Texas)|Mission San Juan Capistrano]] in Texas, and the city of [[San Juan Capistrano, California|San Juan Capistrano]] in [[Orange County, California]]. [[Giulianova]] is a notable example of a Renaissance "[[ideal city]]".

The proximity to Rome, the protected areas, and scenic landscapes make the region one of the greenest in Europe. The presence of quaint villages and its rich and varied culinary traditions are important tourist attractions. In 2010, visitors included 6,381,067 Italians and 925,884 foreign tourists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.istat.it/it/archivio/48501 |title=Movimento dei clienti negli esercizi ricettivi – Dati definitivi |access-date=12 August 2012 |date=21 December 2011 |archive-date=20 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620002117/http://www.istat.it/it/archivio/48501 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2015, the American organization Live and Invest Overseas included Abruzzo on its list of World's Top 21 Overseas Retirement Havens. The study was based on such factors as climate, infrastructure, health care, safety, taxes, and cost of living.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liveandinvestoverseas.com/read-2013-articles/worlds-top-21-retirement-havens1.html|title=World's Top 21 Retirement Havens|author=Kathleen Peddicord|work=Live and Invest Overseas|date=18 June 2013|access-date=25 January 2014|archive-date=29 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129125401/http://www.liveandinvestoverseas.com/read-2013-articles/worlds-top-21-retirement-havens1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the Chamber of Commerce of Pescara presented Abruzzo region to the annual conference of Live and Invest Overseas in the U.S. city of [[Orlando, Florida]]. One year later, in October 2018, Live and Invest Overseas held its first conference in Abruzzo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abruzzoruralproperty.com/abruzzo-one-of-the-best-places-in-the-world-to-retire |title=Abruzzo, one of the best places in the world to retire |author=Monia Di Guilmi |work=Abruzzo Rural Property |access-date=16 November 2018 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120095546/http://www.abruzzoruralproperty.com/abruzzo-one-of-the-best-places-in-the-world-to-retire |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Universities ===
[[File:Palazzo Camponeschi.jpg|thumb|right|[[University of L'Aquila]]]]
There are three universities in the Abruzzo region:
* [[University of L'Aquila]]
* [[D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara]]
* [[University of Teramo]]

[[Harvard University]] bases an intensive summer Italian language and culture program in [[Vasto]], a [[resort town]] on Abruzzo's southern coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.summer.harvard.edu/programs/abroad/abruzzo/ |title=Harvard Summer Program in Umbria and Abruzzo, Italy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202181151/http://archive.summer.harvard.edu/programs/abroad/abruzzo/ |archive-date=2 February 2014 }}</ref>

===Science===
[[File:CUORE Cryostat Construction.jpg|thumb|[[Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso]]]]

Between the [[province of Teramo]] and L'Aquila, under the [[Traforo del Gran Sasso|Gran Sasso Tunnel]], is the [[Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso]] (LNGS) of the [[INFN]], one of the three underground astroparticle laboratories in Europe.

The [http://www.izs.it/IZS/Engine/RAServePG.php Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "Giuseppe Caporale"], which conducts research in veterinary and environmental public health, is located in Teramo.

The [[Gran Sasso Science Institute]], located in L'Aquila, is an advanced research institute which offers doctorates in [[astroparticle physics]], computer science, and mathematics, as well as urban studies and regional science, and which also conducts scientific research.

===Sports===

[[Interamnia World Cup]], the largest international youth [[handball]] competition worldwide, takes place yearly in Teramo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.interamniaworldcup.com/en/|title=Interamnia World Cup|website=www.interamniaworldcup.com|access-date=15 June 2019|archive-date=28 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428071753/https://www.interamniaworldcup.com/en/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

There are several [[:Category:Football clubs in Abruzzo|football clubs in Abruzzo]]. [[Delfino Pescara 1936]] is a [[Serie B]] club; based in Pescara, its home stadium is [[Stadio Adriatico – Giovanni Cornacchia]].

===Dialects===
The regional dialects of Abruzzo include ''Teramano'', ''Abruzzese Orientale Adriatico,'' and ''Abruzzese Occidentale''. The first two forms are a dialect of the Southern Italian language also known as [[Neapolitan language|Neapolitan]], since the region has been part of the [[Kingdom of Naples]] and the [[Kingdom of the Two Sicilies]], while ''Aquilano'' is related to the [[Central Italian|Central Italian dialects]] including [[Romanesco dialect|Romanesco]].
The dialects spoken in the Abruzzo region can be divided into three main groups:
# Sabine dialect, in the province of L'Aquila, a central Italian dialect
# Abruzzo Adriatic dialect, in the province of Teramo, Pescara and Chieti, that is virtually abandoned in the province of [[Ascoli Piceno]], a southern Italian dialect
# Abruzzo western dialect, in the province of L'Aquila, a southern Italian dialect

==Cuisine==
{{See also|Cuisine of Abruzzo}}
[[File:Campo Imperatore 2009 -Ristoro Mucciante Arrosticini- by RaBoe 014.jpg|thumb|right|[[Arrosticini]] of Pescara valley]]
[[File:Spaghettoni alla chitarra e ragù.JPG|thumb|right|''[[Spaghetti alla chitarra]]'' of [[Teramo]]]]
[[File:Bocconotto from Castel Frentano.jpg|thumb|right|Typical ''[[bocconotto]]'' of [[Castel Frentano]]]]
[[File:Sise delle monache guardiagrele.jpg|thumb|''Sise delle Monache'' from [[Guardiagrele]]]]
Abruzzo's cuisine is renowned<ref>{{Cite web |last=Irrente |first=Kati |date=2024-02-19 |title=Ricette abruzzesi: la top 5 dei piatti nostrani più realizzati all'estero - News In Abruzzo |url=https://www.inabruzzo.it/ricette-abruzzesi-la-top-5-dei-piatti-nostrani-piu-realizzati-allestero/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=In Abruzzo |language=it-IT |archive-date=19 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419231155/https://www.inabruzzo.it/ricette-abruzzesi-la-top-5-dei-piatti-nostrani-piu-realizzati-allestero/ |url-status=live }}</ref> for its variety and richness.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://issuu.com/aptrdepliant/docs/abruzzofoodwine | title=Food & Wine by Regione Abruzzo – Issuu | date=30 July 2012 | access-date=21 November 2022 | archive-date=21 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121164753/https://issuu.com/aptrdepliant/docs/abruzzofoodwine | url-status=live }}</ref> Both the agricultural and coastal areas of Abruzzo have contributed to its cuisine. Due to the mountains, much of Abruzzo was relatively isolated until the 20th century. This has contributed to preserving local culinary traditions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mariobatali.com/abruzzo/|title=Abruzzo|publisher=MarioBatali.com|access-date=26 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201192938/http://www.mariobatali.com/abruzzo/|archive-date=1 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Ingredients===

In terms of common ingredients, cuisine in Abruzzo often includes:
* [[Lamb and mutton]], primarily in the mountains.<ref name="huffpost">{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-rosengarten/the-cuisine-of-abruzzo_b_5651554.html|title=The Cuisine of Abruzzo: Easy to Love, Not So Easy to Describe|last1=Rosengarten|first1=David|website=Huffington Post|date=6 August 2014|access-date=6 January 2016|archive-date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307044316/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-rosengarten/the-cuisine-of-abruzzo_b_5651554.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Sheep's milk (or [[ricotta]]) is an important source of Abruzzese cheese, and lamb intestines are used as sausage [[Casing (sausage)|casing]] or for [[Braciola#Involtini|stuffed meat rolls]].<ref name="huffpost" /><ref name="barilla">{{cite web|url=http://www.academiabarilla.com/the-italian-food-academy/abruzzo/default.aspx|title=ABRUZZO IN TAVOLA|website=Academia Barilla|access-date=6 January 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025023/http://www.academiabarilla.com/the-italian-food-academy/abruzzo/default.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Goat meat|Mountain goat meat]] is also common in Abruzzo.
* [[Truffle]]s and [[Edible mushroom|mushrooms]], particularly wild mushrooms from the forests and hills 
* [[Garlic]], especially [[Aglio Rosso di Nubia|red garlic]]
* [[Rosemary]]
* Hot [[chili pepper]] or [[Peperoncino|peperoncini]], regionally known as ''diavolilli'' or ''diavoletti'', is common in Abruzzese cuisine and often used to add spice to dishes. Abruzzo residents are well known for frequently adding peperoncini, or hot peppers, to their meals. 
* Vegetables such as [[lentils]], [[grasspea]]s and other [[legumes]], [[artichoke]], [[eggplant]], and [[cauliflower]]<ref name="huffpost" /><ref name="barilla" /><ref name="braim">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nXUkqkBA-DkC&q=abruzzo+cuisine+mushrooms&pg=PA13|title=Food of Italy|last1=Braimbridge|first1=Sophie|date=2005|publisher=Allen & Unwin|isbn=9781740454643|access-date=6 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="mush">{{cite web|url=http://www.delallo.com/articles/wild-mushrooms-italy-kitchen-tips-recipe-ideas|title=Wild Mushrooms in Italy - Kitchen Tips & Recipe Ideas|last=Nicoletti|first=Amy|website=Delallo|access-date=6 January 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085006/http://www.delallo.com/articles/wild-mushrooms-italy-kitchen-tips-recipe-ideas|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Starter and main dishes===
* ''[[Spaghetti alla chitarra]]'' which is made by pressing or cutting [[pasta]] through a ''chitarra'', an implement to form long thin noodles similar to [[spaghetti]]. The pasta is served with a tomato-based sauce, often flavored with [[Bell pepper|peppers]], [[pork]], [[goose]], or [[Lamb and Mutton|lamb]]. This dish is complemented by regional [[side dish]]es, such as the bean and noodle soup ''sagne e fagioli''. This soup is traditionally flavored with [[tomato]]es, garlic, oil, and peperoncini.
* ''{{lang|it|[[gnocchi|Gnocchi carrati]]}}'', flavored with [[bacon]], [[egg (food)|eggs]], and [[pecorino]] cheese
*''[https://www.experiencebellavita.com/scrippelle-mbusse-crepes-in-broth-recipe-teramo/ Scrippelle]'', a rustic French-style [[crêpe]] served either ''{{lang|it|mbusse}}'' (a type of soup) or used to form a sort of [[soufflé]] with [[ragù]] and stuffed with chicken liver, [[meatball]]s, hard-boiled eggs, and cheese
* ''Pastuccia'', a [[polenta]] stew with sausage, eggs, and cheese
* ''Pasta allo sparone'', a pasta roll filled with ricotta cheese and [[spinach]]. The pasta roll is boiled in hot water and served with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese.
* ''Pasta alla mugnaia,'' a long, uneven and thick type of pasta that is hand-pulled to a diameter of up to 6mm and is traditionally served with tomato sauce. Pasta alla mugnaia, also simply known as ''mugnaia'', is the flagship dish of the town of [[Elice]]. 
* ''Pallotte cacio e ovo'', balls of [[caciocavallo]] cheese and eggs, usually served as a starter in a rich tomato sauce.

===Meat===
Across the region, roast lamb is enjoyed in several variations. Some of these variations include:
* ''[[Arrosticini]]'', a skewered lamb dish
* ''Pecora al cotturo'', lamb stuffed with a variety of mountain [[herb]]s and cooked in a copper pot
* Lamb cooked whole in a [[masonry oven|bread oven]]
* ''Agnello cacio e ovo'', a lamb-based [[fricassee]]
* ''Mazzarella'': lamb intestines stuffed with lamb, garlic, [[marjoram]], lettuce, and spices
* ''[https://www.experiencebellavita.com/teramo-virtu-a-tasty-minestra-made-once-every-may-1st/ Le virtù]'': a soup from Teramo filled with legumes, vegetables and pork, made only on 1 May.
*''[[Timballo]] abruzzese'': [[lasagna]]-like dish with pasta sheets (''scrippelle'') layered with meat, vegetables and rice; often served for [[Christmas]] and [[Easter]]<ref name=bradt/>
* ''[[Porchetta]] abruzzese'': moist boneless-pork roast, slow-roasted with rosemary, garlic, and [[black pepper|pepper]]<ref name="bradt">{{cite book|last1=Di Gregorio|first1=Luciano|title=Bradt Abruzzo|date=2013|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=9781841624464|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BtoEOVpoxLAC&q=abruzzo+porchetta&pg=PA42|access-date=6 January 2016}}</ref>

===Seafood===
Seafood is also popular, especially in coastal areas. The variety of fish available locally resulted in several fish-based ''[[Brudet|brodetti]]'' ("broths"), coming from such places as [[Vasto]], [[Giulianova]], and [[Pescara]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://lifeinabruzzo.com/brodetto-vastese-the-winding-barter-fish-soup/ | title=Brodetto Vastese – the Winding Barter Fish Soup | date=9 June 2012 | access-date=21 November 2022 | archive-date=20 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120210345/https://lifeinabruzzo.com/brodetto-vastese-the-winding-barter-fish-soup/ | url-status=live }}</ref> These broths are often made by cooking fish, flavored with tomatoes, herbs, and peperoncino, in an earthenware pot. Other fish products are ''[[scapece alla vastese]]'',<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/fish-chutney | title=Fish Chutney &#124; Regione Abruzzo – Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio | access-date=21 November 2022 | archive-date=20 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120210336/https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/fish-chutney | url-status=dead }}</ref> [[baccalà all'abruzzese]],<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/it/baccala-allabruzzese | title=Baccalà all'abruzzese &#124; Regione Abruzzo &#124; Dipartimento Sviluppo Economico – Turismo | access-date=21 November 2022 | archive-date=20 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120210337/https://abruzzoturismo.it/it/baccala-allabruzzese | url-status=dead }}</ref> and ''[[coregone di Campotosto]]'',<ref>[https://www.comune.campotosto.aq.it/informazioni-turistiche-comune-di-campotosto/prodotti-tipici-di-campotosto/ Prodotti Tipici] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130044917/https://www.comune.campotosto.aq.it/informazioni-turistiche-comune-di-campotosto/prodotti-tipici-di-campotosto/ |date=30 January 2023 }} Comune di Campotosto. Retrieved 19 December 2022</ref><ref>[https://www.virtuquotidiane.it/cronaca/campotosto-la-resilienza-di-filomena-e-della-sua-famiglia-da-generazioni-ristoratori-sul-lago.html CAMPOTOSTO: LA RESILIENZA DI FILOMENA E DELLA SUA FAMIGLIA, DA GENERAZIONI RISTORATORI SUL LAGO] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206002435/https://www.virtuquotidiane.it/cronaca/campotosto-la-resilienza-di-filomena-e-della-sua-famiglia-da-generazioni-ristoratori-sul-lago.html |date=6 February 2023 }} Retrieved 19 December 2022</ref> typical lake fish.

===Pizzas===
Rustic pizzas are also very common. Some of these are:

* ''Easter pizza'', a rustic cake with cheese and pepper from the [[Teramo]] area
* ''Fiadoni'' from Chieti, a dough of eggs and cheese well risen, cooked in the oven in a thin casing of pastry
* A rustic tart pastry filled with everything imaginable: eggs, fresh cheeses, ricotta, vegetables, and all sorts of flavorings and spices.

Also from Teramo are the spreadable sausages flavored with nutmeg, and liver sausages tasting of garlic and spices. Atri and [[Rivisondoli]] are famous for cheeses. [[Mozzarella]], either fresh or seasoned, is made from ewe's milk, although a great number of lesser known varieties of these cheeses can be found all over Abruzzo and Molise.

===Salumi===
''[[Salumi]]'' (singular: ''salume'') is an Italian term describing the preparation of cured meat products made predominantly from pork.
[[File:Mortadella di Campotosto.jpg|thumb|''[[Mortadella di Campotosto]]''|alt= Mortadella]]
Spreadable sausage flavored with nutmeg and liver sausage with garlic and spices are hallmarks of Teramo cuisine. ''[[Ventricina]]'' from the Vasto area is made with large pieces of fat and lean pork, pressed and seasoned with powdered sweet peppers and [[fennel]], and encased in dried pig stomach. ''[[Mortadella di Campotosto]]'' (well known in Abruzzo) is an oval, dark-red ''[[mortadella]]'' with a white column of fat. They are generally sold in pairs, tied together. Another name for the mortadella is ''coglioni di mulo'' (donkey's balls). It is made from shoulder and loin meat, [[prosciutto]] trimmings, and fat. It is 80&nbsp;percent lean meat; 25 percent is prosciutto (ham), and 20 percent is ''[[pancetta]]''. The meat is minced and mixed with salt, pepper and white wine.

===Cheeses===
The region's principal cheeses are:
* ''White cow cheese'', a soft cheese made from [[cow's milk]]
* ''[[Caciocavallo]] abruzzese'', a soft, slightly elastic dairy product made from raw, whole cow's milk with rennet and salt
* ''Caciofiore Aquilano'', made from raw whole sheep's milk, [[rennet]], artichokes, and saffron (which gives it its characteristic yellow color)
* ''[[Caciotta]] vaccination frentana'', a half-cooked, semi-hard cheese made from raw whole cow's milk, rennet and salt
* ''[[Canestrato]] of [[Castel del Monte, Abruzzo|Castel del Monte]]'', a hard cheese made from raw whole sheep's milk, with rennet and salt
[[File:Caprino.jpg|thumb|[[Caprino cheese|Caprino]]|alt=Slice of goat's-milk cheese]]
* ''[[Caprino cheese|Caprino]] abruzzese'', made from raw whole goat milk (sometimes with sheep's milk), curd, and salt
* ''Cheese and curd [[stazzo]]'', cheese and byproducts obtained from the processing of raw milk from sheep, cattle and goats
* ''Junket vaccination or Abruzzo sprisciocca'', a soft fresh cheese made from raw whole cow's milk, rennet, and salt
* ''[[Pecorino]] d'Abruzzo'': one of Abruzzo's flagship products—a mild, semi-hard (or hard) cheese with holes, made from raw whole sheep's milk, rennet, and salt
* ''Pecorino di Atri'', a compact, semi-cooked cheese made from sheep's milk, rennet and salt
* ''Pecorino di Farindola'', cheese made from sheep's milk and pork rennet (a special type of rennet, made by filling a dried pork stomach with vinegar and white wine for forty days)
* ''Ricotta'', made from the remnants of the coagulation of raw whole sheep's milk, heated after filtration
* ''[[Scamorza]] d'Abruzzo'', a stretched [[Quark (dairy product)|curd cheese]] made from cow's milk, rennet (liquid or powder) and salt

Atri and [[Rivisondoli]] are known for their cheeses. Mozzarella (fresh or seasoned) is typically made from ewe's milk; many lesser-known cheeses are found throughout Abruzzo and [[Molise]].

===Desserts and sweets===
[[File:Pizzelle on display, May 2009.jpg|alt=Thin wafers with powdered sugar|thumb|''[[Pizzelle]]'' are a typical Abruzzo sweet.]]
Abruzzo's sweets are well known:
* [[Dragée]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://conoscere.abruzzoturismo.it/index.php?Canale=Cosa&IDCanaleSub=10&IDCanaleSubSub=0&IDItem=35&ItemType=PT|title=Home – Regione Abruzzo – Dipartimento Turismo, Cultura e Paesaggio|website=conoscere.abruzzoturismo.it|access-date=2014-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114001935/http://conoscere.abruzzoturismo.it/index.php?Canale=Cosa&IDCanaleSub=10&IDCanaleSubSub=0&IDItem=35&ItemType=PT|archive-date=2013-11-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> (also known as confetti): sugar-coated almonds from [[Sulmona]]
* ''[[Torrone]] Nurzia'': chocolate [[nougat]] from [[L'Aquila]]
* ''[[Parrozzo]]'': a cake-like treat made from crushed almonds and coated in chocolate
* ''[[Pizzelle]]'' (also known as ''ferratelle''): a [[waffle]] [[cookie]], often flavored with [[anise]]<ref name=bradt/>
* ''[[Croccante]]'', a type of nougat made from almonds and caramelized sugar, often flavored with lemon<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abruzzomoliseheritagesociety.org/cuisine.htm#abruzzo |title=Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society |publisher=Abruzzomoliseheritagesociety.org |access-date=2013-03-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309041825/http://www.abruzzomoliseheritagesociety.org/cuisine.htm |archive-date=2013-03-09 }}</ref>
* ''Calgionetti, cagionetti, caggiunitti, caviciunette'': Christmas [[fritter]]s, sometimes filled with chestnuts or chickpeas and flavored with chocolate or cocoa
* ''[[Bocconotto|Bocconotti]]'': stuffed sweets often served for Christmas
* ''[[Zeppole]] di San Giuseppe'': fried or baked pastries made for [[Saint Joseph's Day]]
* ''{{ill|Sise delle monache|it|vertical-align=sup}}'', two layers of sponge cake filled with custard, produced in the town of [[Guardiagrele]] in the province of [[Chieti]]

===Fruits===
The region's principal fruits are:
* {{lang|it|Agrumi della costa dei trabocchi}}: coastal citrus (particularly oranges), used for [[Fruit preserves#Jam|jam]] and [[Limoncello]]
* {{lang|it|Castagna roscetta della Valle Roveto}} and {{lang|it|Marrone di Valle Castellana}}: types of [[chestnut]]
* {{lang|it|Ciliege di Raiano e di Giuliano Teatino}}: a local cherry
* {{lang|it|Mandorle di Navelli}}: almonds from the town of [[Navelli]]
* {{lang|it|Mela della Valle Giovenco}}: apples from the region
* {{lang|it|Uva di Tollo e Ortona}}: [[table grape]]s, also used for jam

===Olive oil===
[[File:Uliveto_toccolano.jpg|thumb|Olive trees in [[Tocco da Casauria]]]]

The use of oil in regional mountain and sea dishes is important; among the most common oil products are the Aprutino Pescarese, the Pretuziano delle Colline Teramane, l'Olio extra vergine di oliva delle Valli Aquilane and Colline Teatine.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/pdo-extra-virgin-olive-oil |title=PDO extra virgin olive oil |access-date=21 November 2022 |archive-date=21 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121171108/https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/pdo-extra-virgin-olive-oil |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The list of Abruzzo olive cultivars:

* Castiglionese
* Dritta 
* Gentile di Chieti
* Intosso
* Monicella
* Carpinetana
* Morella 
* Nebbio di Chieti
* Raja 
* Toccolana
* Tortiglione
* Crognalegna
* Gentile del L'Aquila (Rusticana del L'Aquila)

The extra-virgin [[olive oil]] produced in [[Colline Teramane]] ([[Teramo]] hills) is marked by the [[Geographical indications and traditional specialities in the European Union|DOP]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hotelposeidontortoreto.com/en/abruzzi-wine-and-food_31.html | title=Gastronomy, Typical Specialties of Abruzzi Cuisine | work=Hotel Poseidon Tortoreto | access-date=15 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112034945/http://www.hotelposeidontortoreto.com/en/abruzzi-wine-and-food_31.html | archive-date=12 January 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The region has several cultivars that includes Carboncella, Dritta (Dritta Francavillese and Dritta di Moscufo), Gentile del Chieti, Nostrana (Nostrana di Brisighella), and Sargano olive cultivars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://oliveoilsindia.com/Italian-Olives.htm|title=Italian Olives, Green Italian Olives, Black Italian Olives, Olive, Olive Cultivation, Olive Oil Extraction, Spanish Olives, Green Olives, Black Olives, Olive Trees, Mumbai, India|website=oliveoilsindia.com|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-date=2 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102230120/http://oliveoilsindia.com/Italian-Olives.htm|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

===Wines and liquors===
[[File:Montepulciano d Abruzzo 05 (RaBoe).jpg|thumb|Bottles of [[Montepulciano d'Abruzzo]] wine]]

Renowned [[wine]]s such as [[Montepulciano d'Abruzzo|Montepulciano]] [[Denominazione di origine controllata|DOCG]], [[Trebbiano d'Abruzzo]] [[Denominazione di origine controllata|DOC]] and [[Controguerra]] DOC are judged to be amongst the world's finest.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://winecountry.it/regions/ | title=Italian Wine Regions – Grapes and Wine Production | work=WineCountry.it | access-date=15 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040107193446/http://winecountry.it/regions/ | archive-date=7 January 2004| url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012, a bottle of Trebbiano d'Abruzzo ranked No. 1 in the top 50 Italian wine awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.winenews.it/print/the-winenews-corner/28904/the-best-italian-wine-is-trebbiano-dabruzzo-2007-by-valentini-then-barolo-reserve-monprivato-c-dmorissio-2004-by-mascarello-and-sassicaia-2009-by-san-guido-estate-the-best-italian-wine-awards-the-50-best-wines-of-italy |title=WineNews – The best Italian wine is Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2007 by Valentini, then Barolo Reserve Monprivato Cà d'Morissio 2004 by Morello and Sassicaia 2009 by San Guido Estate. The "Best Italian Wine Awards-The 50 Best Wines of Italy" – Visualizzazione per stampa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110154821/http://www.winenews.it/print/the-winenews-corner/28904/the-best-italian-wine-is-trebbiano-dabruzzo-2007-by-valentini-then-barolo-reserve-monprivato-c-dmorissio-2004-by-mascarello-and-sassicaia-2009-by-san-guido-estate-the-best-italian-wine-awards-the-50-best-wines-of-italy |archive-date=10 November 2014 }}</ref>

In recent decades these wines have been joined, particularly, by wines from lesser known (heritage) white grapes, such as, [[Pecorino (grape)|Pecorino]], [[Cococciola]], [[Passerina (grape)|Passerina]], [[Montonico bianco]] and [[Fiano (grape)|Fiano]].<ref>Abruzzo Is Making White Wine From Grapes You Don't Yet Know, Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 May 2018</ref>

[[Indicazione geografica tipica|IGT]] wines are [[Alto Tirino]], Colli Aprutini, [[Colli del Sangro]], [[Colline Frentane]], [[Colline Pescaresi]], [[Colline Teatine]], Del Vastese (or [[Histonium]]), [[Terre di Chieti]], and [[Valle Peligna]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1yp7CgAAQBAJ&q=Cuisine+of+Abruzzo&pg=PT38|title=Abruzzo|last=Massetti|first=Enrico|date=2015|publisher=Enrico Massetti|isbn=9781329492530}}</ref> The region is also well known for the production of [[liqueur]]s such as [[Centerbe]], [[Limoncello]], [[Ratafia]], and [[Gentian liqueur|Genziana]]. 
{{Clear}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Gran sasso italia.jpg|[[Campo Imperatore]]
File:Abruzzo Chamois 2008 446.JPG|Abruzzo Chamois
File:Trabocco Marina di San Vito-001.jpg|[[San Vito Chietino]]
File:Apollo Butterfly of Gran Sasso.jpg|Apollo Butterfly in [[Gran Sasso]]
File:Lago di Scanno dji mini 3 pro.jpg|Lake [[Scanno, Abruzzo|Scanno]]
File:Majella001.jpg|[[Maiella]] massif
File:Ponte del Mare di Pescara 2011.jpg|Ponte sul mare in [[Pescara]]
File:Campo Felice Lake.jpg|[[Campo Felice]]
File:Wild boards of Gran Sasso National Park.jpg|Abruzzo Wild boars
File:Ortona 2006 -Ripari di Giobbe- by-RaBoe 001.jpg|[[Ortona]] seaside
File:Prati di Tivo - Teramo - Italy.jpg|[[Prati di Tivo]] ski slopes
File:Monteferrante chieti.JPG|[[Monteferrante]]
File:Rocca Calascio 3.jpg|[[Rocca Calascio]]
File:Duomo di Teramo - facciata principale.jpg|Duomo of [[Teramo]]
File:Palazzo della Camera di Commercio Chieti.jpg|[[Chieti]]
File:L'Aquila 2007 -Fontana della 99 Cannelle- by-RaBoe-065.jpg|[[L'Aquila]] 99 Spouts Fountain
File:L'Aquila, Basilica di San Bernardino 2007 by-RaBoe-1.jpg|San Bernardino Basilica in [[L'Aquila]]
File:L'Aquila, San Pietro a Coppito 2007 by-RaBoe-1.jpg|[[L'Aquila]]
File:Basilica di Lanciano.jpg|[[Lanciano]] basilica
File:Sulmona0003.jpg|Church of SS Annunziata in [[Sulmona]]
File:Sulmona0001.jpg|[[Sulmona]]
File:Celano0001.jpg|[[Celano]]
File:CasalBCentroStorico.jpg|[[Casalbordino]]
File:Guardiagrele Santa Maria Maggiore Occidentale.jpg|[[Guardiagrele]]
File:Ortona 2005 -Castello Aragonese- by-RaBoe 01.jpg|[[Ortona]]
File:Santuario San Gabriele dell'Addolorata Abruzzo 03.JPG| Shrine of [[Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows]]
File:PalazzoCastelli.jpg|Palazzo Savini in [[Teramo]]
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[2009 L'Aquila earthquake]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
*[https://www.regione.abruzzo.it/ Official site of the regional administration]
*[https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/ Official Abruzzo tourist board website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051113062838/http://www.italy-weather-and-maps.com/maps/italy/abruzzo.gif Map of Abruzzo]
*[https://www.ft.com/content/58f3263e-251a-11dc-bf47-000b5df10621 In the land of bears and castles], ''[[Financial Times]]'', 29 June 2007
*[https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2005/apr/16/italy.shortbreaks.guardiansaturdaytravelsection?page=2 Italy as it used to be], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 16 April 2005
*[http://www.lifeinabruzzo.com/ Life in Abruzzo, a chronicle of Abruzzo life written from a hill village in the Gran Sasso Mountains]
*{{cite AV media|title=The People Of Abruzzo And Their Millennia Of History|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbDu_cBBCnc|access-date=8 March 2024|publisher=[[Museo delle Genti d'Abruzzo]]|archive-date=9 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309230453/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbDu_cBBCnc|url-status=live}}

{{Abruzzo}}
{{Regions of Italy}}
{{Italy topics}}
{{Mediterranean cuisine}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|42|21|58|N|12|23|40|E|display=title}}

[[Category:Abruzzo| ]]
[[Category:Regions of Italy]]
[[Category:NUTS 2 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1963]]
[[Category:Wine regions of Italy]]
[[Category:Samnium]]
[[Category:Picenum]]