Abruzzo

Abruzzo or Abruzzi? We've all heard both names in reference to the region halfway down Italy's eastern coast. Whether it derives from the ancient Brutii tribe that once inhabited the area or from the medieval dukedom of Aprutium in the north of the region, the name has stuck in both its forms. Abruzzo is the most current name; the plural Abruzzi was used to refer to Abruzzo and bordering Molise when they were considered one region-an arrangement that lasted until their separation in 1963. Abruzzo and Molise share a common history and culture, but geographically Abruzzo is the star partner. The region is blanketed with vast national parks and ski slopes. It is home to the Gran Sasso d'Italia, the highest set of peaks in the Apennine Mountain Range. One-third of the territory is environmentally protected, the highest percentage of any region in Europe. Rare Apennine wolves and the endangered Marsican brown bear roam in the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo in the region's south. Although bear sightings are rare, the creature has come to symbolize Abruzzo's wild, natural identity. Opposite the mountains lies a long stretch of coast along the Adriatic Sea, ideal for water sports such as sailing and windsurfing. Four provinces make up the region. L'Aquila, the regional capital, was founded in 1240 A.D. when citizens from 99 surrounding villages were gathered together to create a new city. To this day, the town hall bell chimes 99 times each evening, and a centerpiece of its architecture is a medieval fountain with (almost) 99 spouts. The province of Teramo in the northeast borders on the Marche region, with a long stretch of coast and beautiful valleys dipping down from the mountains. Wide, sandy beaches and a summer jazz festival are attractions in the province of Pescara, while Chieti shares its southern border with Molise and is well-known for its important university. Something about Abruzzo's landscape inspires contemplation and mysticism. Many beautiful hermitages have been built in tucked-away mountains as places of spiritual retreat for various religious orders. In pre-Christian times, the region was known for its wizards, witches and snake charmers, documented by Latin poets Virgil and Ovid, a native of Sulmona. Visitors can see right away that the region also excels in artisanship. Hand-painted ceramics, especially from the town of Castelli, have been lauded for hundreds of years. Delicate lace work (tombolo) and embroidery (ricamo) are taken very seriously, with schools set up to teach the art to the younger generations. Gold work, called orafa, has earned Abruzzo a world-wide reputation for fine crafts. Scanno has been a center of gold working and jewelry making since the 17th century .

What sets Abruzzo's cuisine apart from the rest is its "devilish" quality, so called because of the high quantity of hot red pepper used in many Abruzzese dishes. Perhaps this comes from the occult leanings of many of Abruzzo's native inhabitants. It is said that many visitors to Abruzzo gasp for a cooling drink once they take a forkful of a typically fiery dish. What usually ends up happening however, is that they take a gulp of Centerbe, an Abruzzese liqueur supposedly made from 100 herbs and packing a punch just as spicy as any food on the table.

Abruzzo's ancestors
Of the many tribes that coexisted in Abruzzo before the rise of Rome, the Piceni left the most interesting object in their wake. The Guerriero di Capestrano, or Capestrano Warrior, is a 6th-century funeral statue depicting King Nevio Pompuledeio as a warrior, fully outfitted with all his weapons. The statue is evidence that the institution of monarchy was alive and kicking in the region as early as 2,600 years ago. The remarkable statue is on display at the National Museum of Archaeology in Chieti. With the rise of Rome, Abruzzo and Molise were absorbed into the new empire-not without a degree of resistance from the local tribes-and given the name Sabina et Samnium. After the fall of Rome, the region was passed along from one ruling force to the next: the Longobards, the kingdoms of Sicily and Naples, and finally to the modern Italian state.

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