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Via Cavour, 70010, Locorotondo, Italy (June 2019)
Locorotondo
Pescara, a lively and dynamic city located on Italy’s Adriatic coast, is a place where natural beauty, history, and modernity converge. As the largest city in the Abruzzo region, Pescara serves as a vital economic, cultural, and transportation hub. Known for its stunning beaches, rich historical background, and vibrant urban life, Pescara attracts visitors from across Italy and beyond, offering a unique blend of experiences that cater to a variety of interests. Pescara’s strategic location along the Adriatic Sea has been central to its development over the centuries. The city is divided by the Pescara River, which flows from the Apennine Mountains and empties into the Adriatic. This natural feature has played a significant role in the city’s history, serving as a natural boundary and a resource that facilitated trade and transportation. The history of Pescara dates to ancient times when it was known as Aternum, a significant port during the Roman era. Aternum was a key trading centre, linking Rome to the eastern Mediterranean via the Adriatic. The remains of the ancient Roman settlement, including parts of a bridge and roads, can still be seen in the area, serving as a testament to Pescara’s long and storied past. Throughout the Middle Ages, Pescara was contested by various powers due to its strategic location. It was part of the Kingdom of Sicily and later the Kingdom of Naples, and during these periods, the city experienced both growth and conflict. The modern city of Pescara, however, only began to take shape in the 19th century, following the unification of Italy, when it became an important military and industrial centre.
Today, Pescara is a bustling urban centre with a population of over 120,000 residents. The city is characterized by its modern architecture, wide boulevards, and a vibrant cultural scene. Pescara’s economy is diverse, with strong sectors in tourism, commerce, industry, and services. The city’s port remains a key asset, serving as a gateway for trade and travel to and from the Adriatic and beyond. One of Pescara’s most significant modern developments is its role as a transportation hub. The city is home to the Pescara Centrale train station, which connects it to major cities such as Rome, Milan, and Bologna. Additionally, Pescara has an international airport, Abruzzo Airport, which provides access to various European destinations. This connectivity has made Pescara a convenient destination for both business and leisure travellers. Pescara has a rich cultural life, with numerous museums, galleries, and theatres that celebrate its artistic heritage. One of the city’s most famous sons is the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio, a prominent literary figure in Italy. The house where he was born, Casa Natale di Gabriele D’Annunzio, has been preserved as a museum, offering insights into his life and works.
The city also hosts various cultural events throughout the year, including the Pescara Jazz Festival, one of the oldest and most prestigious jazz festivals in Italy. This event attracts renowned musicians from around the world and adds to Pescara’s reputation as a vibrant cultural centre. Pescara is renowned for its beautiful coastline, which stretches for several kilometres along the Adriatic Sea. The city’s beaches are some of the best in Italy, featuring soft golden sands and clear blue waters. These beaches are a major draw for tourists, particularly during the summer months when the city comes alive with beachgoers, festivals, and nightlife. The Lungomare, Pescara’s seafront promenade, is a popular spot for walking, cycling, and enjoying the sea breeze. Lined with palm trees, cafes, and restaurants, the Lungomare offers stunning views of the Adriatic and is a central part of the city’s social life. Beyond the beaches, Pescara is surrounded by natural beauty. The nearby Apennine Mountains offer opportunities for hiking, skiing, and exploring Italy’s rugged interior. The region is also home to several national parks, including the Majella National Park, known for its diverse flora and fauna.
Pescara is a city of contrasts, where the old meets the new, and the natural world blends seamlessly with urban life. Its historical roots as an ancient port and its modern status as a thriving city create a unique atmosphere that is both welcoming and dynamic. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or simply relaxing by the sea, Pescara offers something for everyone. Pescara is not just a gateway to the Adriatic, but a destination in its own right. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural surroundings, Pescara invites visitors to explore its many facets and discover the unique charm of this coastal city. Whether strolling through its modern streets, enjoying its beaches, or delving into its past, Pescara offers a diverse and enriching experience that captures the essence of Italy’s Adriatic coast.
Worth a Visit
The Cimitero Comunale di Locorotondo in Locorotondo is an important cultural and spiritual landmark that reflects the town’s traditions, religious devotion, and deep sense of community. Situated just outside the historic centre, the cemetery is more than a burial ground: it is a place where memory, architecture, and the surrounding Apulian landscape come together in harmony. Locorotondo, renowned for its whitewashed houses and circular layout overlooking the Valle d’Itria, has always been closely tied to its territory, and the cemetery continues this bond by embodying both dignity and beauty in a setting of peace and reflection. The layout of the cemetery mirrors the town’s characteristic order and elegance. Long, straight avenues guide visitors past carefully arranged tombs, family chapels, and small mausoleums, many of which display fine craftsmanship in stonework, iron, and sculpture.
The Chiesa Rettoria Oratorio Santuario di San Rocco in Locorotondo is one of the town’s most significant places of worship, a sanctuary that embodies both spiritual devotion and local identity. Dedicated to San Rocco, the patron saint of Locorotondo, the church is more than a religious building: it is the heart of centuries-old traditions, celebrations, and communal faith that continue to unite the town’s people. Situated within the historic center, the sanctuary stands as a symbol of protection, gratitude, and resilience, reflecting the enduring bond between the saint and the community. San Rocco, venerated across Europe as a protector against plagues and epidemics, became particularly important in Locorotondo during the sixteenth century, a time when southern Italy, like much of Europe, was struck by outbreaks of disease.
The Chiesetta Rettoria Maria Santissima Annunziata in Locorotondo is a small yet deeply meaningful religious site that reflects the town’s devotion, history, and architectural heritage. Located within the charming whitewashed streets of the historic centre, this church is a place of quiet spirituality and an important landmark for the local community. Dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, it stands as a testimony to centuries of faith and to the enduring cultural richness of the Valle d’Itria. The origins of the church date back several centuries, when small chapels and oratories were built to serve as focal points of devotion for neighbourhoods and confraternities in Locorotondo.
The Villa Comunale in Locorotondo is one of the town’s most cherished public spaces, a peaceful garden that offers both residents and visitors a place of relaxation, leisure, and scenic beauty. Located at the edge of the historic centre, the villa combines the charm of a traditional Italian garden with the breath-taking views that define the Valle d’Itria. For many, it is not only a green retreat but also a cultural and social meeting point that reflects the welcoming spirit of Locorotondo. The park was created to provide a public space where people could enjoy nature, stroll among shaded paths, and gather in an atmosphere of serenity.
Photo Gallery of Walk 1 – Via Cisternino to Piazza Fra Giuseppe Andrea Rodio
Approximately 1.44 km – 0.89 miles
The walk starts in Via Cisternino – Via Enrico Fermi – Cimitero Comunale di Locorotondo – Via Enrico Fermi – Via Cisternino – Via Cavour – Corso Umberto I’ – Via Morosini – Chiesa Rettoria Oratorio Santuario di S.Rocco patrono, Largo S. Rocco – Largo S. Rocco – Chiesa Rettoria Madonna della Greca, Largo Madonna della Greca – Via Vittorio Veneto – Via Giannone – Piazza Fra Giuseppe Andrea Rodio – Chiesa Rettoria Oratorio di Maria SS Annunziata e Sacro Cuore e S.Lucia, Piazza Fra Giuseppe Andrea Rodio
Photo Gallery of Walk 2 – Via Dura to Via Cavour
Approximately 0.82 km – 0.51 miles
The walk starts in Via Porta Nuova – Via Dura – Via C. Battisti – Via Morelli – Via Antonio Bruno – Piazza Vittorio Emanuele – Piazza Dante – Villa Comunale Giuseppe Garibaldi, Piazza Dante – Corso XX Settembre – Via Cavour – Via Semeraro Arciprete – Largo Giuseppe Mazzini – Via Cavour
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