Teramo is a city and comune in the central Italian region of Abruzzo, the capital of the province of Teramo. The city, 150 kilometres (93 mi) from rome, is situated between the highest mountains of the Apennines (Gran Sasso d'Italia) and the Adriatic coast. It is indeed one of the few places where it is possible to reach, both the sunny beaches of the Adriatic sea and the 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) covered by snow Gran Sasso peaks, in less than half an hour from the city centre. The town is by the confluence of the Vezzola and Tordino rivers. The economy of the town is mostly based on activities connected with agriculture and commerce, as well as a sound industrial sector: textiles, foods, engineering, building materials and ceramics. Teramo can easily be reached from the A14 autostrada and in one and a half hours by car from rome via the A24 autostrada.

Main sights

• Roman Theatre
  The Roman theatre was built at the beginning of the 2nd century, under the rule of the emperor Hadrian. The theatre is merely a stone's throw away from the Duomo of Teramo. The walls are 10 ft (3.05 m) long and are a testimony of how big the theatre was when its capacity was 3.000 spectators. Since the fall of rome, the building materials were used in other projects. In 1918 its ruins were found and in 2007 the rebuilding project was designed. After the demolition of Palazzo Adamoli planned for 2011, the theatre will rediscover its first glory. The masterpiece was described through the poetic lines of famous poet Gabriele D'Annunzio. He said "The remains of the theatre of Interamnia proves its ancient Roman majesty".
• Roman Amphitheater
  Even though it is sure that the 700 ft (213.36 m) wide building was a site of urban interest, there is no proof that the great amphitheater of Teramo was the center of the first Christians' martyrdom. It is believed that in the Middle Age it was used as a castle or a fortress to protect the city. The legend tells that a beautiful Spanish lady had the mission of killing the men who had loved her the night before. She stole their souls immediately after, so no-one would have evidence of the passion of her nights.
• Casa Urbani
  It is one of the most interesting houses still remaining from the Teramo of the Middle Age. Built by Norman Count from Loretello right after the siege, but prior to the fire that burn the city in the middle of the 12th century.
• Spirito Santo
  The church of the 14th century was connected with the church of "Santo Spirito in Saxia" in rome. Something about it was reminiscent of the presence of the cross of Constantine. It was the centre of a hospital and of a brotherhood interested in the burial of the dead. It perfectly characterizes the elements of the Teramo of the Middle Age.
• Duomo
  The Basilica Cathedral of Santa Marria Assunta and Saint Berardo is the most important piece of art in Teramo. The construction began in 1158 under the wish of the bishop Guido II, because he was eager to have a new location for San Berardo da Pagliara memorabilia. It was consecrated and completed in 1176. Most of the material used to build was taken from the theater and the Roman amphitheater. The tower built in 11th and 12th centuries has three bells and it is 165 ft (50.29 m) long. Another relevant masterpiece is the silver canopy of Nicola da Guardiagrele, which took 15 years to be build (from 1433 to 1448). Since September 8, 2007, it is now possible to visit the subterranean crypt of Saint Berardo da Pagliara, the patron saint of Teramo.
• San Getulio
  The church of San Getulio, built in the early Middle Ages on the ruins of a Roman temple, finally destroyed in 1155 by the Normans. Only the presbytery and some Romanesque elements remain of the original building.
• Casa del Mutilato
  The old "Church della Misericordia" (now Casa del Mutilato) was built as a consequence of the pestilence in 1348, and was reorganized in 1928. It was very relevant the fresco of Giacomo da Campli (century 15). In 1514 it hosted the queen Joan II of Naples, she went there to admire a precious crucifix that was said to contain a thorn from the crown of Jesus Christ.
• Convitto Nazionale
  Convitto Nazionale in Piazza Dante Some think that it is not the most beautiful palace in Teramo, but that it is the entire square. Majestic, stunning like a Roman monastery it is the centre of Convitto Nazionale and Liceo Classico. Built in 1934 it was the first building for the faculty of Law in Teramo in 1817.
• Vescovato
  It was most likely erected in 1374 with columns of stones and travertine from Civitella del Tronto. It still is the residence of the bishop and the main offices of the Aprutina administration. It is the same bishop that every year among the Thursday and Good Friday night leads an extraordinary nightly procession. The tradition tells that the Virgin Mother, who is not in mourning yet, wanders from church to church looking for his son. If in the desperate search, the virgin runs into the rain, she takes shelter in the nearest church where she will have to stay until the next night of the forthcoming year. Although the procession leaves at 4am, it is a rite that keeps on attracting thousands of faithful in the Easter of Teramo.
• Castello della Monica
  It is the desire of a man, an artist, who wanted to keep up with the changing style of the great cities in the 19th century through the "gothic revival". Don Gennaro Della Monica decided to build a castle for himself and his family in Piazza Garibaldi, he personally took care of any small detail. The history of the castle is the story of love, secrets, legends, and fantasies.
• Madonna delle Grazie
  Madonna Delle Grazie The church "fuori porta (outside of the Roman's gates that surrounded the city) is one of the most traditional of the Christianity relics in the town. The church along with the inner cloister was re-opened in September 1900.
• Piazza Sant'Anna
  This is a square in the old part of the city with a stunning church. It has recently been object of studying owing to the remains found belonging to the old Torre Bruciata and to a Roman Domus of the 2nd century B.c.
• Sor Paolo
  The archaeologists and the historians think it is a statue of an ancient powerful Roman patrician, the citizens of Teramo just think of him as Sor Paolo or rather Gnore Paule in dialect. In his left-hand people stuffed satires and letters of complaint about the city's most powerful people. They are nowadays substituted with love poems or city Teramo teams flags.
• Palazzo Castelli
  The ex Casa Muzii (named after the owner's last name) was built in 1908 in Corso Cerulli. It is an example of art nouveau in the city.
• Antico manicomio
  It was once considered the biggest psychiatric hospital of central/southern italy. A building from 1323 with a top-notch staff of doctors. Marco Levi Bianchini, one of the most accomplished men of the Italian psychiatric field and Freud's pupil throughout an epistolary correspondence, led the center. He founded the Italian Psychoanalytic Society. On the gate of the hospital there was a sign that said "Here are the few perhaps not even the real ones".
• Mosaico del leone
  It is by far the symbol of the archeological history of Teramo. Found in 1891 during the construction of the grand Palazzo Savini, the mosaic underwent centuries of dampness. However, due to the impeccable work of restoration specialists it still is a perfect representation of the works of urban archeology. The value of the masterpiece proves that a long time ago the city had an important tradition and a real school for the masters of mosaic. Today it's still possible to meet young craftsmen who are studying the art of mosaic according to the rules of the ancient rome masters.