Alba Adriatica, Province of Teramo, Abruzzo

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Italian Regions

Info
- Altitude: 5 m a.s.l
- Distance from Teramo: 37 km
- Population: ca. 9500 inhabitants
- Postal code: 64011
- Dialing Area Code: +39 0861
- How to reach it: by motorway, A14 from Rome, Bologna, Milan; by A24 from Rome, L'Aquila exit Giulianova; by bus and trains, from Teramo, Pescara; by road, the Adriatica State road connecting Giulianova to Ascoli; State road from Teramo.
History - Antiquity and the Middle Ages
Ager Praetutianus, Hardianus, Palmensis, Castrum Truentinum, Castrum Novum, Alba Picena, Suino and Servio are the names of the towns of the Piceni that were destroyed during the invasions of the early centuries of the Christian Era. Along the coasts anciently the Romans established many "navali", small ports more for military use than for fishing and sometimes used in sea trade. One of these Navali might have been in the territory of Alba Adriatica, near the junction Via Mazzini - Via Roma.
History - Modern Times

Only in the 16th century the first buildings appeared along the coast: they were towers with the purpose to defend the territory from the landings of Turks and Saracens. An important turning point for Alba was the inauguration in 1863 of the small railway station TORTORETO - NERETO - CONTROGUERRA: several centers rose along the line and the hinterland started to show interest for that Adriatic coast which had been neglected for centuries. The first buildings of a certain beauty however rose only after 1900: Villa Flajani, Villa Tonelli, Villa Ranalli, Villa Ricci and Villa Crescenzi. Avenues Vittoria and Margherita were opened in the 1930's. The only important road was the current Via Roma. Up to 1956 the sea front was only a white gravely street. Then the first hotels appeared, and little by little in the last decades Alba has become one of the favorite seaside resorts for Italians and foreign tourists, thanks to the wide, clean sand beaches, the game parks for children and teenagers, the glamorous night life.
What to see
- A 16th-century sighting tower
- The Villa Moscarini, in the nearby countryside.
Events and Festivities
- 24 and 25 April: Feast for San Vincenzo Ferreri, one of the most ancient celebrations at the area called Casasanta, with games and sports, performances, cycling competition, lottery, agricultural fair "Lu Casò" and gathering of ancient tractors, then band and fireworks.
- 31 July - 18 August: Summer Carnival.