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Abruzzo Province of L'Aquila Sulmona

Sulmona Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy Sulmona is situated at the foot of the Maiella, at the confluence of the Gizio and Vella rivers, where, in ancient times, there was a lake that dried out for natural causes. The city was hit several times by wars and earthquakes but, nevertheless, still has many medieval buildings of great beauty and a fine historical downtown. An important agricultural and commercial center, Sulmona is famous worldwide for its confetti, but also for its goldsmith's art (its antique jewels, bearing the initials SUL, are scattered in museums around the world (as well as in the Vatican).

Info Altitude: 405 m a.s.l -- Distance from L'Aquila: km -- Population: ca. 25000 inhabitants -- Zip code: 67039 -- Phone Area Code: 0864 History The name "Sulmona" appears in historical documents as early as 211 BC, when, according to Livy, Hannibal devastated the city. Another key date was 43 BC, date of birth here of the great poet Ovid (he wrote "Sulmo mihi patria est"), who surrounded the origins of his hometown with mysterious legends, including one according to which Sulmona was founded by Solimo, a companion of Aeneas. The first production of the famous confetti, according to historians, seems to date back to 14 AD. Sights & Excursions The Cathedral, which houses 15th-century sarcophagi and a Byzantine relief with Virgin and Child the Annunziata Palace, with its facade in Romanesque - Gothic style, which houses the Museo Civico Archeologico Church of the Annunziata, with its majestic bell tower Piazza Garibaldi, with the Church of St. Philip, and the old town with the Tironi and Tabassi palaces, Piazza XX Settembre and the bronze statue of Ovid the Hermitage of St. Peter Celestine The church of Santa Maria della Tomba the medieval Aqueduct The Morronese Abbey

See larger map Events & Festivities Easter Festa della "Madonna che scappa" in Piazza Garibaldi 28 April Feast of St Panfilo Late August "Abruzzo DOC", market fair of typical Abruzzese products July Giostra Cavalleresca (medieval joust) Hotels, Lodging, Restaurants Hotels in Sulmona Agritourism in Sulmona Genealogy, News & Links People researching in Sulmona Newspaper articles on Sulmona Comune di Sulmona Homesite A Guide available for download

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