City with truly ancient origins, Atri stands on a hill at an altitude of 442 meters in the Terre del Cerrano area. The city is nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the Gran Sasso mountain and is revealed as one of the most important historical centers of Abruzzo.

Atri has a truly long story, to the point that even in Etruscan times, the city was considered an important commercial center. During the Roman period, on the other hand, Atri was known as “Hatria” and according to some sources, Emperor Hadrian was reportedly born in this city. Towards the end of the 14th century, the city became the property of Count Antonio Acquaviva of San Flaviano and the capital of the famous Duchy of Atri. The Acquaviva family ruled over these lands until the mid-18th century when the city returned back under the control of the Kingdom of Naples.

In addition to preserving a truly unique historical and architectural heritage, Atri is located near important seaside cities, such as Roseto, Pineto and Silvi Marina, and not too far from the region’s main parks. All of these characteristics make this city a perfect base for exploring the surrounding areas. Last but not least, Atri has always been known for its production of licorice, a true tradition that seems to date back to Roman times. Tasting Atri’s licorice is something you must absolutely do, by purchasing it in one of the historic shops in the city center.

Source: turismo.abruzzo.it