Avezzano

Avezzano (Italian pronunciation: [avedˈdzaːno] or [avetˈtsaːno]) is a town and comune in the Abruzzo region, province of L'Aquila. It is the main commercial, industrial and agricultural centre of the Marsica area, with high-tech industries such as a LFoundry GmbH semi-conductor plant, and a large Telespazio satellite farm. History There are two common etymologies for the name of the town: from "Ave Jane", an invocation to the Roman God Janus and from "Ad Vetianum" which means a "to the Vetia family", domiciled in the nearby town of Alba Fucens. The first settlements in this area began with the construction works for the lake's drainage ordered by Emperor Claudius in the first century A.D. In the 15th century Avezzano was under Gentile Virgilio Orsini, who built the castle in 1490. Avezzano once lay on the shores of the largest lake in peninsular Italy, Lake Fucino, which was drained in the late 19th century. After the draining of the Lake, wide fields became available for cultivation and the area underwent terrific growth. It was completely destroyed by the possibly worst recorded earthquake in the history of Italy on the early morning of January 13, 1915 with only Casa dei Palazzi and a wing of Orsini Castle spared. More than 12,000 people died. The town streets were then completely rebuilt along straight, parallel lines, with wide green areas and villas in the "Liberty" style. Main sights Alba Fucens Fucino plain Monte Velino Telespazio satellite farm Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo Valle Roveto Ovindoli Tagliacozzo Piana del Cavaliere Notable births Paola Concia, politician Gianni Letta, politician and journalist Mario Pescante, politician and entrepreneur, IOC Member Vito Taccone, cyclist References