Pescara

Pescara is the birthplace of the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, national "Vate", and of the writer Ennio Flaiano. During the fifth century Pescara first passed to Ostrogoths, then to Byzantines and finally to Longobards. During the reign of Charles V it became an important coastal fortress. During the Second World War Pescara suffered violent bombardments, which partially destroyed the town and historic center, so today Pescara is a predominantly modern-looking city. Pescara Vecchia still preserves monuments of great interest and artistic and architectural value: Cathedral of San Cetteo, strongly desired by D'Annunzio between 1933 and 1938, stands on the ruins of ancient Romanesque church; Church of the Sacred Heart in the city center, it was built in the late nineteenth century in neo-Gothic style, while Basilica of Madonna dei Sette Dolori is in neoclassical style. Borbonic Bath is ancient prison of Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1510), which has incorporated within it the remains of Norman and Byzantine walls of the city, inside is Museum of Abruzzo People. In the area located in the south of the city, around Pineta Dannunziana, there are various Art Nouveau villas. The "Ship" of Cascella, the main monument of the city, was built in 1986, in travertine marble, and evokes the vocation to fishing the city. Ponte del Mare is another great work that distinguishes the landscape of Pescara, joining the two rivieras.