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L’Aquila
L'Aquila ( , ) is a city and '' comune'' in central Italy. It is the capital city of both the Abruzzo region and of the Province of L'Aquila. , it has a population of 70,967 inhabitants. Laid out within medieval walls on a hill in the wide valley of the Aterno river, it is surrounded by the Apennine Mountains, with the Gran Sasso d'Italia to the north-east. L'Aquila sits upon a hillside in the middle of a narrow valley; tall snow-capped mountains of the Gran Sasso massif flank the town. A maze of narrow streets, lined with Baroque and Renaissance buildings and churches, open onto elegant piazzas. Home to the University of L'Aquila, it is a lively college town and, as such, has many cultural institutions: a repertory theatre, a symphony orchestra, a fine-arts academy, a state conservatory, a film institute. There are several ski resorts in the surrounding province ( Campo Imperatore, Ovindoli, Pescasseroli, Roccaraso, Scanno). Geography Close to the highest of the Apennine ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bernardino Of Siena
Bernardino of Siena, OFM (8 September 138020 May 1444), also known as Bernardine, was an Italian priest and Franciscan missionary preacher in Italy. He was a systematizer of Scholastic economics. His preaching, his book burnings, and his " bonfires of the vanities" made him famous/infamous during his own lifetime because they were frequently directed against sorcery, gambling, infanticide, witchcraft, homosexuals, Jews, Romani "Gypsies", usury, etc. Bernardino was later canonised by the Catholic Church as a saint – where he is also referred to as "the Apostle of Italy" – for his efforts to revive the country's Catholicism during the 15th century. Sources Two hagiographies of Bernardino of Siena were written by two of his friends; the one the same year in which he died, by Barnaba of Siena; the other by the humanist Maffeo Vegio. Another important contemporary biographical source is that written by the Sienese diplomat Leonardo Benvoglienti, who was another personal acquaint ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Abruzzo
Abruzzo (, , ; nap, label=Neapolitan language, Abruzzese Neapolitan, Abbrùzze , ''Abbrìzze'' or ''Abbrèzze'' ; nap, label=Sabino dialect, Aquilano, Abbrùzzu; #History, historically Abruzzi) is a Regions of Italy, region of Southern Italy with an area of 10,763 square km (4,156 sq mi) and a population of 1.3 million. It is divided into four provinces: Province of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Province of Teramo, Teramo, Province of Pescara, Pescara, and Province of Chieti, Chieti. Its western border lies east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and north-west, Molise to the south and the Adriatic Sea to the east. Geographically, Abruzzo is divided into a mountainous area in the west, which includes the highest massifs of the Apennines, such as the Gran Sasso d'Italia and the Maiella, and a coastal area in the east with beaches on the Adriatic Sea. Abruzzo is considered a region of Southern Italy in terms of its culture, language, history, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gran Sasso D'Italia
Gran Sasso d'Italia (; ) is a massif in the Apennine Mountains of Italy. Its highest peak, Corno Grande (2,912 metres), is the highest mountain in the Apennines, and the second-highest mountain in Italy outside the Alps. The mountain lies within Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park. Geography The three main summits of the Gran Sasso are Corno Grande, which at is the highest peak in the Apennines, nearby ''Corno Piccolo'', and ''Pizzo d'Intermesoli'', which is separated from the other two peaks by Val Maone, a deep valley. Corno Grande and Corno Piccolo's ash coloration come from their limestone and dolomite composition. The peaks are snow-covered for much of the year though the snow cover appears to be less each decade. Corno Piccolo is referred to as, "The Sleeping Giant". This is due to the appearance of a profile of a reclined face. This view of Corno Piccolo is evident when viewing the mountain from Pietracamela, a small town near Prati di Tivo, on the north side o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick II (German language, German: ''Friedrich''; Italian language, Italian: ''Federico''; Latin: ''Federicus''; 26 December 1194 – 13 December 1250) was King of Sicily from 1198, King of Germany from 1212, King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor from 1220 and King of Jerusalem from 1225. He was the son of emperor Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VI of the House of Hohenstaufen, Hohenstaufen dynasty and Queen Constance, Queen of Sicily, Constance of Sicily of the Hauteville family, Hauteville dynasty. His political and cultural ambitions were enormous as he ruled a vast area, beginning with Sicily and stretching through Italy all the way north to Germany. As the Crusades progressed, he acquired control of Jerusalem and styled himself its king. However, the Papacy became his enemy, and it eventually prevailed. Viewing himself as a direct successor to the Roman emperors of antiquity, he was Holy Roman Emperor, Emperor of the Romans from his papal coronation in 1220 until hi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Autostrada A24 (Italy)
The Autostrada A24, or Autostrada dei Parchi (“Parks Motorway”), is a autostrade of Italy, motorway connecting Rome to Teramo. Starting at the Grande Raccordo Anulare (GRA - the Rome orbital motorway), the A24 runs broadly north-east past L'Aquila and through a 10 km Traforo del Gran Sasso, tunnel under the Gran Sasso before reaching Teramo. It is constructed in an almost completely hilly and mountainous territory with a complex orography. For this reason, the motorway required the adoption of daring civil engineering solutions, with extensive stretches utilising viaducts and 42 tunnels (four of which are longer than 4 km) including the double tunnel of the Gran Sasso, whose length (10.174 km for the northern tunnel, 10.175 km the southern) made it the longest double-tube road tunnel in Europe, as well as the longest road tunnel in Italy entirely in the national territory. First planned in 1973 to connect Lazio and Abruzzo as well as the Autostrada del Sol ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Central Italy
Central Italy ( it, Italia centrale or just ) is one of the five official statistical regions of Italy used by the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), a first-level NUTS region, and a European Parliament constituency. Regions Central Italy encompasses four of the country's 20 regions: * Lazio * Marches (''Marche'') * Tuscany (''Toscana'') * Umbria The southernmost and easternmost parts of Lazio (Sora, Cassino, Gaeta, Cittaducale, Formia, and Amatrice districts) are often included in Southern Italy (the so-called ''Mezzogiorno'') for cultural and historical reasons, since they were once part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and southern Italian dialects are spoken. As a geographical region, however, central Italy may also include the regions of Abruzzo and Molise, which are otherwise considered part of Southern Italy for socio-cultural, linguistic and historical reasons. Politics Marches, Tuscany and Umbria – together with Emilia-Romagna – are considered to be th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant. The Sea has played a central role in the history of Western civilization. Geological evidence indicates that around 5.9 million years ago, the Mediterranean was cut off from the Atlantic and was partly or completely desiccated over a period of some 600,000 years during the Messinian salinity crisis before being refilled by the Zanclean flood about 5.3 million years ago. The Mediterranean Sea covers an area of about , representing 0.7% of the global ocean surface, but its connection to the Atlantic via the Strait of Gibraltar—the narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates the Iberian Peninsula in Europe from Morocco in Africa—is only wide. The Mediterranean Sea e ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scanno, Abruzzo
Scanno ( Abruzzese: ') is a town and district in the province of L'Aquila, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. The town is bordered by Anversa degli Abruzzi, Barrea, Bisegna, Bugnara, Civitella Alfedena, Introdacqua, Opi, Pescasseroli, Pettorano sul Gizio, Rivisondoli, Rocca Pia, Villalago and Villetta Barrea. History Situated in the Sagittario Valley and encircled by the Majella mountains, Scanno has been immortalised by photographers Henri Cartier-Bresson (1951) and Mario Giacomelli (1957–59) and, according to Edward Lear, was host to Italy's most beautiful women. Local legend has it that Scanno's natural lake (Lago di Scanno - stocked with pike and perch and Abruzzo’s largest natural basin) was created by a feud between a white witch and a sorcerer; the lake marking the spot where the witch finally fell. People For a brief period during World War II, future Italian president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi was a refugee in the town. Quinto Mancini (1893–1963), ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Roccaraso
Roccaraso is a town and ''comune'' in central Italy, in the province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region. History Founding The town of Roccaraso dates back to around 975 AD, and is located near the Rasinus stream, from which some believe it took its original name, Rocca Rasini. It developed as a farming village, inhabited by herdsmen and craftsmen, which guaranteed its people a peaceful and prosperous life. During the late 19th century, the opening of the rail link with Naples begins to bring the first tourists, attracted by the beauty of the natural environment, who were soon welcomed by various hotels that at that time were beginning to rise. World War Two A sharp setback came with the Second World War. Roccaraso was located right on the head of the Gustav line, the system of fortifications with which the Germans tried to stop the advance of the Allies after the landing at Salerno in September 1943. The town was completely destroyed by a bombing, which caused the loss of ' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pescasseroli
Pescasseroli (, Marsicano: '', '') is a town and ''comune'' in the province of L'Aquila, in Southern Abruzzo, central Italy. A summer and winter resort, it is also the location of the Abruzzo National Park, nestled in the heart of the Monti Marsicani. In 1866, the philosopher Benedetto Croce was born there. History The domain of the Borrello Family in the 11th century, Pescasseroli passed as a 'sub-fief' of the Di Sangro family. After the fall of the Swabians, it came under the Aquinas family. In 1349, when Adenolfo II Aquinas died under the ruins of the castle of Alvito, it passed to a branch of the Counts of Loreto. In 1461, the barony of Pescasseroli was inherited by Antonella d'Aquino, Marquise of Pescara. At the end of the sixteenth century, the estate was sold to Giovan Giacomo di Sangro, who died in 1607. Put up for auction, it is recorded as having a succession of different owners until 1705, when for the price of 15,770 ducats, it was acquired by the Massa family of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ovindoli
Ovindoli ( Abruzzese: ') is a village and ''comune'' of the province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. Close to Rome, it is a resort for both summer and winter sports, including hiking, biking, equestrian activities and downhill and cross-country skiing. Geography Ovindoli lies in the Apennine Mountains of Abruzzo, within the regional park of Sirente-Velino. History Ovindoli became known a popular destination for downhill skiing following World War I, but it was not until 1959 that the mountain organized as a modern ski resort; at the time, it was called Valturvema. During the 1961–62 season, ski lifts began operating and the trails were expanded. Charles Rogers, an American working at that time in the US Embassy in Rome, served as President of the Society that worked to further develop the area as a ski resort and oversaw expansion activities. In 1994, the ski resort changed management and was named Monte Magnola and modernized with new trails, ski lif ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Campo Imperatore
Campo Imperatore ("Emperor's Field") is a mountain grassland or alpine meadow formed by a high basin shaped plateau located above Gran Sasso massif, the largest plateau of Apennine ridge. Known as "Little Tibet", it is located in Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park, near L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy. Campo Imperatore is a notable cinematographic natural set: the location has been used in more than twenty films, like ''The American'', ''The Name of the Rose'', ''Krull'', '' Ladyhawke'', ''Red Sonja'', ''Il sole anche di notte'', and ''L'Armata ritorna''. Campo Imperatore is a tectonic origin shaped by alluviums and glaciers. The plateau, which is 27 km in length and an average of 8 km in width, lies adjacent to the Apennines' highest peak Corno Grande, and Europe's southernmost glacier, the Calderone; also surrounding the plateau are Monte Prena, Monte Aquila, and the Camicia Mountains to the north and Monte Scindarella, Mesola and Monte Bolza to the south. T ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
