Nestled between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, Teramo is a historic city first settled in the 1st millennium BC. It’s dotted with ancient Roman ruins and a Romanesque cathedral dominated by a freestanding bell tower. Teramo is surrounded by picturesque vineyards and olive groves that descend to the banks of the Vezzola and Tordino rivers.
Things to do in Teramo
In the centre of Teramo is the Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta, which was built in the 12th century in a Romanesque-Gothic style. Gaze up at its 50-metre-tall bell tower before stepping inside to see the silver antependium depicting scenes from the life of Christ. Also of note are the panel painting by Jacobello del Fiore and a 14th-century wooden crucifix.
Art enthusiasts can visit the Civic Museum of Teramo, which houses an impressive collection of artworks dating from the 15th to 19th centuries. Archaeological objects and artefacts from the late Renaissance period are showcased at the "Francesco Savini" Archaeological Museum, which is named after the locally-born historian and palaeographer. Highlights include a Roman lion mosaic and an effigy of Septimius Severus.
Teramo is home to a handful of Roman ruins, including an amphitheatre believed to date back to the 3rd century AD. Discovered beneath Palazzo Savini are the remnants of a Roman townhouse with a 1st-century-BC mosaic pavement. In the central Piazza Sant’Anna stands the Torre Bruciata, a Roman-built tower that exhibits markings from an 1156 siege led by Robert III of Loritello.
Getting around Teramo
Teramo is around an hour’s drive from Pescara and Abruzzo Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular trains connect to the Teramo railway station and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Teramo can easily be explored on foot.