Campli

Campli is a town and comune in the province of Teramo, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park. Geography The towns of Bellante, Civitella del Tronto, Sant'Omero, Teramo, Torricella Sicura, Valle Castellana are nearby. History During the fourteenth century, the composer Nicolaus Ricii de Nucella Campli was born presumably in or near the town. The town was captured by the French under François de Guise in 1557 during his failed campaign against the Spanish in the Kingdom of Naples. Festivals and events Every year since 1964 in the month of August, there is a celebration that goes by the name of Sagra della porchetta italica (Feast of Italian Pork). It is considered to be the first such event established in the Region of Abruzzo and one of the earliest organized in all of Italy. One highlight of this festival is a pork sandwich cookoff. The festival was founded by Fernando Aurini who was seeking to attract tourists and to disseminate information about the town which once made up a portion of the holdings of the powerful Farnese family. In celebration of this event a practical tourist guide entitled "Campli" was published each year. The Sagra della porchetta italica was an immediate success with crowds of up to 10,000 people attending in the mid 1960s. Main sights Museo Nazionale Archeologico (National Archeological Museum) - housed in the ancient 14th century Farnese palace Chiesa di S. Pietro (Church of Saint Peter) - known for its walls containing Ancient Roman and High Medieval stone fragments La Scala Santa (The Sacred Step) - 28 wooden steps which, if climbed on ones knees, bring absolution of sins by decree of Pope Clement IV References External links www.campli.it