Abruzzo and Molise in the World Exhibition in California, USA

Abruzzo is a mostly mountainous region in the middle of the Italian peinsula. Its geo-morphological features are symbolized in the regional emblem, a shield divided into three oblique white, green and blue bands, which represent the snowy mountains, the woods and the sea. The impervious territory, which in the past hindered communications and caused the isolation of the peoples of the region, has helped preserve the environment's uniqueness. In the 1960's the construction of highways from Rome, Bologna and Bari, and more recently the 10km-long tunnel under the Gran Sasso opened the region to the rest of Italy and Europe. Here you will find the highest peaks of the Apennines, the Gran Sasso, Maiella and Velino-Sirente, deep canyons and valleys, national and regional parks, wide sandy beaches, an astonishing wealth of artistic and natural beauty. Citadels and castles appear in the middle of woods and pastures, in the parks with some luck you can see brown bears, wolves and chamois, and eagles, hawks and buzzards on the highest peaks. Abruzzo comprises the four provinces of L'Aquila, Chieti, Pescara and Teramo. The province of L'Aquila is the largest Abruzzi province and one of the largest in Italy. The regional capital, L'Aquila, the regional capital, was f ounded in the Middle Ages, according to the tradition, by the populations of 99 castles of the Aquilan territory, and was for a long time the second city in importance of the Kingdom of the Naples; here unique monuments can be admired, such as the Fontana delle 99 cannelle, St. Bernardine's, where the body of the great Franciscan saint is kept in a wonderful marble mausoleum, Santa Maria di Collemaggio, where each year since 1294 the Perdonanza established by Pope Celestine V has taken place, the majestic XVI-century Spanish Fortress, which hosts nowadays the National Museum of Abruzzo. Other important centres are Sulmona, the railroad center of the province, Avezzano, a modern town, completely rebuilt after the disastrous earthquake of 1915, Celano with its fine medieval castle, Pescina, the birthplace of novelist Ignazio Silone, Castel di Sangro, in the past an important strategic checkpoint on the so-called "Via degli Abruzzi", Roccaraso, Pescasseroli, Ovindoli, Rocca di Mezzo and Tagliacozzo, all busy winter resorts. The province of Chieti comprises a territory full oh archeological and historical sites, rich in the production of wines renowned all over the world. Chieti, according to the tradition, was founded by Achilles, became later an important Roman town under the name of Teate, and is rich in monuments among which the remains of the Roman baths and fine churches as the Cathedral of San Giustino; Lanciano, the centre of proud Italic population Frentani, is renowned for its Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle and the Mastrogiurato historical reenactment; Ortona, with the ruins of its majestic Aragonese castle, and Vasto, the ancient Histonium, are important fishing ports and busy summer resorts. The province of Pescara, established only in the XX century, is the most densely populated; the provincial capital, Pescara, the birthplace of poet Gabriele d'Annunzio, is among the main economic, commercial and tourist centres of the whole Adriatic coast; Popoli, an ancient centre of the Peligni, rises below Mount Morrone near the gorges of the Pescara river; at Castiglione a Casauria there is the church of San Clemente a Casauria, founded in 871, the most important monastery in Abruzzo. The province of Teramo is a unique combination of mountain and seaside resorts and a great place for Abruzzese cuisine. Teramo, the Province capital, was an ancient Roman town under the name of Interamnia, has remains of a Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre and great works of art in San Bernardo's cathedral and the many churches throughout the city. Other important centres are Isola del Gran Sasso, with the Sanctuary of san Gabriele, the main religious destination in Abruzzi, Atri, a wonderfully preserved medieval centre with invaluable works of art and an important Cathedral, Giulianova, a busy port and seaside resort, and Alba Adriatica, Tortoreto and Pineto with their lovely sandy beaches.