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Via N. Sauro, 67051 Avezzano, Italy (September 2018)
Avezzano
Situated in the heart of the Marsica area of Abruzzo, Avezzano is a modern Italian city shaped by resilience, transformation, and a strong connection to its surrounding landscape. Located on the Fucino plain and framed by the Apennine Mountains, Avezzano occupies a strategic position between Rome and the Adriatic coast. While much of its present day appearance reflects 20th century reconstruction, the city’s story is deeply rooted in history, nature, and the enduring spirit of its people.
Avezzano’s early development was closely tied to agriculture and trade, benefiting from the fertile lands created after the drainage of Lake Fucino in the 19th century. For centuries, the lake dominated the region, influencing local life and limiting large-scale settlement. The ambitious engineering project led by Prince Alessandro Torlonia transformed the area, turning the former lakebed into one of central Italy’s most productive agricultural zones. This dramatic change laid the foundation for Avezzano’s growth as an economic and administrative centre.
The defining moment in Avezzano’s history came on January 13, 1915, when a devastating earthquake struck the Marsica region. Nearly the entire city was destroyed, and thousands of lives were lost. In the aftermath, Avezzano was rebuilt almost entirely from the ground up. As a result, its urban layout and architecture differ markedly from the medieval appearance typical of many Italian towns. Wide streets, rational planning, and modern buildings reflect both necessity and hope, symbolizing renewal after tragedy.
Despite the loss of many historic structures, Avezzano preserves important landmarks that connect it to its past. The Castello Orsini-Colonna, originally constructed in the 15th century, stands as a reminder of the city’s medieval origins and noble heritage. Restored after the earthquake, the castle now serves as a cultural venue and historical anchor within the modern cityscape. Nearby, churches and monuments rebuilt in the decades following the disaster honour memory, faith, and continuity.
Avezzano today is a lively regional hub, serving as a centre for commerce, education, and transportation within the Abruzzo interior. Its streets and piazzas reflect everyday Italian life, with cafés, markets, and local shops forming the social fabric of the city. The community maintains strong ties to tradition, expressed through festivals, religious celebrations, and local customs that reinforce a shared sense of identity.
The natural environment surrounding Avezzano is one of its greatest assets. The city provides easy access to several protected areas, including the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park, as well as the Sirente-Velino Regional Park. These landscapes offer opportunities for hiking, skiing, and outdoor exploration, drawing visitors who seek unspoiled nature alongside cultural discovery. The contrast between the fertile Fucino plain and the rugged mountain terrain highlights the region’s ecological diversity.
Avezzano is a city defined not by ancient grandeur but by adaptation and strength. Its modern appearance tells a powerful story of survival and renewal, while its connection to land, history, and community gives it depth and character. As a gateway to Abruzzo’s natural beauty and a testament to human resilience, Avezzano offers a distinctive and meaningful introduction to central Italy.
Worth a Visit
The Chiesa di San Giovanni Decollato in Avezzano is one of the city’s most historically significant sacred sites, blending layers of medieval origin, Baroque elegance, and twentieth-century resilience. Founded in the early 14th century thanks to the patronage of the powerful Orsini family, the church was originally dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. It occupied a prominent position in medieval Avezzano, adjacent to the imposing Orsini‑Colonna Castle. Between 1718 and 1744, under the influence of the Colonna family, the church was expanded and embellished. The elegant stone façade—crafted by master Porreca—survived the devastating 1915 Marsica earthquake, though the dome collapsed completely.
The Castello Orsini‑Colonna in Avezzano, Abruzzo, stands as an enduring symbol of the city’s layered history—its medieval roots, Renaissance, and modern cultural revival woven into its walls. Built in 1490 at the request of Virginio Orsini, the castle rose upon the remains of a medieval watchtower initially erected in 1181 by Gentile di Palearia to control the territory. Conceived as a formidable fortress, its design likely involved the renowned military engineer Francesco di Giorgio Martini, whose influence shaped many Orsini fortifications in the region. In 1565, the celebrated Marcantonio II Colonna, fresh from his triumph at the Battle of Lepanto, transformed the austere fortress into a dignified fortified residence.
The Collegiata di San Bartolomeo, today known as the Cathedral of Avezzano, stands as a living monument to resilience, faith, and urban transformation in the heart of Abruzzo. With origins tracing back to the early Middle Ages, this sacred site has been rebuilt multiple times, offering visitors a layered narrative of devotion, architecture, and collective memory. Construction began around the year 1000, initially dedicated to St. Anthony the Abbot and later rededicated to Saint Bartholomew the Apostle. In the 12th century, it received the prestigious title of royal chapel from King William II of Sicily. Over subsequent centuries—particularly the 16th-century Renaissance and beyond, it was expanded and elevated to the status of a Collegiata in 1572 under the Tridentine reforms, joining the income and administration of twelve neighbouring churches.
Photo Gallery of Walk in Avezzano – Piazza Castello to Piazza Risorgimento
Approximately 2.37 km – 1.47 miles
The walk starts at Chiesa di San Giovanni, Piazza Castello – Castello Orsini-Colonna, Piazza Castello – Via Roma – Via F. Crispi – Via Monte Velino (The Town Hall) – Sacro Cuore di Gesù, Via Monte Velino – Via Armando Diaz – Via Camillo Corradini – San Bartolomeo, Piazza Risorgimento – Spire of San Bartolomeo, Via N. Sauro
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