Abruzzo - The territory

The "Trabocchi"

A "trabocco" (plural trabocchi) is a makeshift wooden structure made by fishermen to tie their boats or to fish. Their delicate structures are part of the landscape all along this part of the Adriatic coast, including a series of municipalities situated southwards, such as Francavilla al Mare, Ortona, San Vito, Rocca San Giovanni, Fossacesia, Torino di Sangro, Casalbordino, Vasto and San Salvo. The ancient fishermen took advantage of the coast's structure to invent a fishing method that allowed them not to sail on the open sea. Even if nowadays they are not used anymore, the "trabochi" mark the aspect of this unique area.

The small ancient cities

In Abruzzo there are 17 small cities belonging to the famous "Club dei Borghi più belli d'Italia" (The Club of Italy's Most Beautiful Ancient Small Cities), a club whose main objective is to increase the value and protect the artistic, urban and cultural heritage of Italy's ancient small cities, contributing to the promotion of sustainable tourism development. Abruzzo's towns belonging to the club are: Anversa degli Abruzzi (AQ), Bugnara (AQ), Castel del Monte (AQ), Castelli (TE), Civitella del Tronto (TE), Guardiagrele (CH), Introdacqua (AQ), Navelli (AQ), Pacentro (AQ), Pescocostanzo (AQ), Pettorano sul Gizio (AQ), Pietracamela (TE), Rocca San Giovanni (CH), Santo Stefano di Sessanio (AQ), Scanno (AQ), Tagliacozzo (AQ), Villalago (AQ).