A journey between art, culture and religion

Less than half an hour from Controguerra, we find Teramo, a city of great historical and cultural beauty located between the Adriatic Sea and the Gran Sasso chain. Called Interamnia in antiquity, meaning the city that was located between two rivers, today Teramo jealously guards the remains of its splendid past, such as those of the Roman theatre, the amphitheater and some thermal baths of Roman villas, the best known of which is the Domus del Leone which houses the well-known Mosaic of the Lion. The Teramo religious architecture is of considerable prestige. In Piazza Santa Anna we find the ancient Church of Sant'Anna dei Pompetti and moving towards Piazza Dei Martiri della Libertà we find the unique Cathedral of San Berardo, one of the most beautiful and evocative of the historic center. Continuing we find the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie, dating back to the mid-1100s. One of the most evocative places in Teramo in terms of historical buildings is the medieval village of Teramo, also known as the Castello della Monica, characterized by the presence of different and merged styles among them, which make this large complex original and unique.

Continuing our itinerary through art, culture and religion, we move towards a place of worship visited by more than 2 million faithful every year, the Sanctuary of San Gabriele dell'Addolorata, located in the municipality of Isola del Gran Sasso. In this sanctuary are kept the remains of San Gabriele, Patron Saint of Abruzzo, of which testimonies are handed down regarding miracles of healing that occurred thanks to his intercession. A modern building has joined the more historic one, to accommodate the enormous flow of pilgrims and faithful who go to this place every year and in the summer you can find the remains of the saint, which are kept in the historical part.

Finally, half an hour away from San Gabriele, we find Castelli, a village that links its name to the traditional production of ceramics of the highest quality and elegance, the famous Ceramica di Castelli. This traditional art has been handed down since before the Renaissance and it is possible to trace its history inside the Museum of Ceramics, located in the Convent of the Friars Minor Observant. Walking along the streets of its historic village, characterized by a stupendous natural panorama that extends to the foot of the Gran Sasso, we find the homes of famous potters, such as that of the family of Orazio Pompei located in the historic centre, of the Grue, of the Olivieri and that of the Roses. Starting from the square of Castelli we find the Church of San Giovanni Battista, inside which it is possible to admire fantastic works in ancient tiles, up to the greatest testimony of local artistic production, the Church of San Donato, whose ceiling is characterized by a design of majolica tiles depicting religious themes, aphorisms and phrases of popular wisdom. An enchanted village that hides hidden treasures of rare beauty.