Sulmona
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 30 October 2023
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There are few locations in Abruzzo that are as convenient for visiting the region as Sulmona.
Located within the Province of L'Aquila, the town is just a short distance from the Majella National Park to its east while slightly further away and to the south, lies the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. Aside from its convenient location, Sulmona is itself worthy of a visit in its own right. |
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Sightseeing Sulmona
The main attraction in the town centre is the wide expanse of Piazza Garibaldi which is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants, while at one end there's perhaps the most distinctive sight in Sulmona, the 12th century Gothic aqueduct. Close to the aqueduct there's the impressive façade of Chiesa di San Francesco della Scarpa, a Romanesque church originally built in 1290 AD.
Sulmona is in fact steeped in history; legend has it that the city was founded in 1,000 BC by one Solimo (from where the town's name derives), a friend of Aeneas fleeing from the Trojan Wars. The town's most celebrated resident is without doubt the Roman poet Ovid who was born in Sulmona in 43 AD. There are references to him throughout the town with hotels, shops and streets such as Corso Ovidio named after him.
Another famous offspring of Sulmona is not a person but a product; for more than 2,000 years the town has produced sugar-coated almonds, otherwise known as "confetti". You can find out more about this at the Fabbrica Confetti Pelino, a museum dedicated to the art.
There are several important events that take place in Sulmona: aside from the weekly markets (Saturdays and Wednesdays), Piazza Garibaldi is also the home to the medieval joust known as the Giostra Cavalleresca (last weekend in July), and the "Madonna che Scappa" religious event on Easter morning.
Sulmona is in fact steeped in history; legend has it that the city was founded in 1,000 BC by one Solimo (from where the town's name derives), a friend of Aeneas fleeing from the Trojan Wars. The town's most celebrated resident is without doubt the Roman poet Ovid who was born in Sulmona in 43 AD. There are references to him throughout the town with hotels, shops and streets such as Corso Ovidio named after him.
Another famous offspring of Sulmona is not a person but a product; for more than 2,000 years the town has produced sugar-coated almonds, otherwise known as "confetti". You can find out more about this at the Fabbrica Confetti Pelino, a museum dedicated to the art.
There are several important events that take place in Sulmona: aside from the weekly markets (Saturdays and Wednesdays), Piazza Garibaldi is also the home to the medieval joust known as the Giostra Cavalleresca (last weekend in July), and the "Madonna che Scappa" religious event on Easter morning.
Comune di Sulmona
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Province: L'Aquila
Region: Abruzzo Population: 22,643 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022) Size: 58 km² Elevation: 405 metres Market days: Saturdays and Wednesdays Close by: Majella National Park, Pacentro, Introdacqua, Bugnara Recommended accommodation: Hotel Rojan Fly to: Pescara Abruzzo International Airport (71 km) Nearest train station: Stazione Sulmona (2.6 km) |
