The best walks and hikes in Riserva Naturale Regionale Oasi Wwf Calanchi Di Atri

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (the Duomo of Atri) is one of the most important and impressive religious monuments in the Abruzzo region. This co-cathedral was built between 1260 and 1305 on the foundations of an older Romanesque church and even older Roman baths. Open daily in the morning from 09:00 - 12:30

The artwork that can be admired here depicts the lighting of the 'Faugni' fire by a community of anthropomorphic figures. These are based on animals typical of the Abruzzo region. The costumes feature textures inspired by the culture and art of Atri, particularly the frescoes by De Litio in the cathedral of Atri. Source: information can be read on site.

San Nicola is one of the oldest churches in Atri and dates back to the 13th century. Inside, you can admire a beautiful 15th-century fresco by Andrea de Litio above the baptismal font. Outside, be sure to notice the colourful ceramic tiles from Castelli above the rose window – a typical and unique detail of Atri's architecture. Source: https://www.comune.atri.te.it/it/vivere/la-chiesa-di-s-nicola

Who was Francesco Martella? Martella was born on January 21, 1898, in Atri as a craftsman shoemaker. : Due to his anti-fascist ideas, he fled to France, where he joined the resistance movement Giustizia e Libertà. In 1936, he fought as a volunteer in the Spanish Civil War against fascism. : After his arrest by the French Vichy regime, he was extradited to Italy and exiled to the prison island of Ventotene. After the Italian armistice in September 1943, he immediately joined the armed resistance (i partigiani). : On November 17, 1943, Martella was brutally murdered in his hometown of Atri by Nazi fascists. About the monument: The memorial is a three-meter-high bronze statue symbolizing the fight against oppression. The artwork was designed and created by the artist Ireneo Janni, originally from Atri. The monument was unveiled in 1983, exactly 40 years after Martella's murder.

The Church of Santo Spirito in Atri, located on the edge of the historic center near the old city fortress Rocca di Capo d'Atri, is a hidden gem. Locals know the building better as the Santuario di Santa Rita. It is one of the most important spiritual and devotional centers in the region. The church's origins date back to the 12th or 13th century. In the early period, nuns from Santa Maria Maddalena and monks from various orders (including Franciscans and Augustinians) served there successively. In the 17th century, the complex was transferred to Augustinian nuns. They introduced the fervent devotion to Santa Rita of Cascia (the saint of impossible causes), which forever changed the church's identity. Its current appearance is the result of a major renovation in the first half of the 18th century, during which the interior was transformed into an elegant Baroque style. A fun fact when you stand in front of the place of worship: the beautiful limestone Renaissance portal dates from 1586. This portal originally belonged to the demolished Church of Sant'Antonio and was only placed on the facade of Santo Spirito in 1833. Definitely worth a visit.

Cathedral with ceramic plates! On Piazza Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta will surely catch your eye immediately. If you look closely, you will see that the tower of the Gothic cathedral from 1300 is decorated with ceramic plates in various colors, which change throughout the day with the position of the sun. Incidentally, the shape of the tower, an octagon with a pyramid on top, is unique for the time when the cathedral was built. The funny thing is that you also see this reflected in other churches in Atri and in other villages and towns in Abruzzo. The story goes that the architect of the cathedral applied it here first, after which the idea was adopted by other builders. Underground church and water reservoirs Around 300 BC, on the spot where the cathedral now stands, there was a large square with baths and reservoirs underneath to store rainwater. Only then was the cathedral built on top of it, after which the reservoirs were converted into an underground church. Triggered? Want to know more, click through to https://ciaotutti.nl/reizen-door-italie/abruzzen/atri-een-levendige-stad-vol-geschiedenis/

Porta San Domenico dates from the 16th century. The gate was built between 1528 and 1530. The name is derived from the church of San Giovanni Battista, which was also called San Domenico. The building has special decorative architectural elements from the Middle Ages (14th century), namely an arch with a barrel vault and a beam. At the entrance are the remains of a bastion. Source: https://www.visititaly.com/info/952799-porta-san-domenico-atri.aspx

The Church of John the Baptist is one of the city's historical highlights. It was rebuilt between 1298 and 1317 by the Dominicans on the site of a former royal residence of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia. The beautiful Gothic portal and a window with stone mullions were preserved from the original 13th-century building. Throughout the centuries, the church was modified several times and almost completely rebuilt in the 16th century. This rich history makes this church a fascinating place today where different architectural styles and eras come together. It's up to you to recognize them and place them in the correct period.