Giulianova ( Giuliese: ' ) is a coastal town and '' comune'' in the province of Teramo, Abruzzo region, Italy. The ''comune'' also has city ( it, città) status, thus also known as Città di Giulianova.

Geography

The town lies in the north of the

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 wi ...

region, between the

Salinello The Salinello ( la, Zerninus) is a river in Italy. It is located in the province of Teramo in the Abruzzo region of southern Italy. The source of the river is in the Monti della Laga range southwest of Montagna dei Fiori. The river flows eastwa ...

and the Tordino rivers. Giulianova is split between the ''Paese'', the historic town up in the hills, and the ''lido'', the more recent development down by the beach. Tourism plays a big part in the town's economy. The town, characterized by several beaches, is a summer retreat for people from large cities like Rome and Milan, as well as German and

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

tourists.

History

In pre-Roman times, the Praetutii tribe had a settlement there. In 3rd century BCE Romans established a colony called

Castrum Novum In the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire The Roman Empire ( la, Imperium Romanum ; grc-gre, Βασιλεία τῶν Ῥωμαίων, Basileía tôn Rhōmaíōn) was the post-Republican period of ancient Rome. As a polity, it include ...

in the vicinity of Giulianova. In the Middle Ages, the old Castrum Novum was called ''Castrum divi Flaviani'', and remained an important trade and travel hub, until it was destroyed in 1460, during the Tordino Battle. The local baron Giulio Antonio Acquaviva, founded, in 1471, a new city up on the hill, not far from the older one, calling its Giulia. It was an interesting example of renaissance ideal city, applying the theory of the most important architects of the time, as Leon Battista Alberti and Francesco Di Giorgio Martini, with the cultural environment of whom, he was in contact.

Main sights

* Church of ''Santa Maria a Mare'', belonging to the former city of San Flaviano. Founded before the 11th century, it is a brickwork building with a sail-like bell tower. The portal is from the late 13th century, and has a relief with "Madonna with Child and Animals", while two lions guard the sides, one holding a book and the other fighting with a snake. Under the arch are 18 stone tiles depicting enigmatic figures, described by some a representation of the Zodiac and the seasons * The octagonal Cathedral of ''San Flaviano'', built from 1472. The dome was originally covered by blue majolica. It houses a marble sculpture of "Madonna with Child" by

Venanzo Crocetti Venanzo Crocetti (1913–2003) was an Italian sculptor. He was born in Giulianova, Abruzzo. In 1938 Venanzo Crocetti received the Grand Prize in the 19th Venice Biennale. "The Door of the Sacraments" of the St. Peter's Basilica Crocetti finished i ...

Sanctuary Madonna of the Splendor The Sanctuary Madonna of the Splendor is a shrine in Giulianova, Province of Teramo, central Italy. Next to the shrine stand a convent, a miraculous spring water fountain, and a museum. The sanctuary is served by Capuchin fathers. Structure ...

. In the sacristy is the 16th century ''Pala dello Splendore'', an altarpiece by

Paolo Veronese Paolo Caliari (152819 April 1588), known as Paolo Veronese ( , also , ), was an Italian Renaissance painter based in Venice, known for extremely large history paintings of religion and mythology, such as ''The Wedding at Cana'' (1563) and ''The ...

* Ducal Palace *''Torre del Salinello'', a watch tower built in the 16th century to guard from Turk pirates.

People

* Gabriele Tarquini (born 1962), racing driver * Gaetano Braga (1829–1907), cellist and composer * Domenico "Dom" Serafini (born 1949), journalist *

(1913–2003), sculptor *

Egidio De Maulo Egidio De Maulo (4 September 1840 – 14 November 1922) was an Italian painter mainly of landscapes and still lifes. Biography Born in Giulianova, Italy, a young Egidio moved to Naples where he successfully painted landscapes and still lifes a ...

Born in Giulianova, November 4, 1840 – Rome 1922 ( Painter ) * Lorenzo Piani (1955-2016), singer and songwriter

Sports

The main football team of the town was Giulianova Calcio which participated in professional leagues, namely Serie C (and its divisions). It was replaced by A.S.D. Città di Giulianova 1924 in 2012 and then Real Giulianova in 2016.

References

External links

*
Official tourist websitePhotoblog about life in the harbour of Giulianova
{{Authority control Cities and towns in Abruzzo Populated places established in the 1470s