The best cycling routes around Montefino

Avoid during peak sea hours but convenient for avoiding city traffic... use it calmly

Terrazza Belvedere – the most beautiful view of Cellino Attanasio This is the place to pause. From the Terrazza Belvedere, next to the main church and the old fortress tower, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas in Abruzzo. Thanks to its location at 443 meters above sea level, you overlook an impressive landscape. To the west, the rugged peaks of the Gran Sasso and Maiella dominate. To the east, the hills with olive groves and vineyards roll out towards the shimmering Adriatic Sea. On a clear day, both worlds are visible at the same time. Make it extra special by settling down on the terrace of the nearby Bar Centrale with an espresso or an aperitivo. Here, authentic Italian village life and the impressive nature of Abruzzo come together in a unique way.

The Bell Tower of Santa Maria la Nova – once a medieval defense tower This striking square bell tower was originally not a church tower at all. Its robust base is in fact a 13th-century defense tower that once formed part of the first fortifications of Cellino Attanasio. Only later did the tower acquire a religious function and was converted into the campanile of the adjacent church. Look closely at the sturdy, sloping base: it still betrays its original military function. Above it, you can see the elegant additions from later centuries, such as the decorative arches and the open bell storey in typical Abruzzese style. Fun fact: a memorial plaque has been placed in the outer wall in memory of the inhabitants of Cellino Attanasio who died during the First World War. This makes this tower not only a historical monument but also a place of remembrance.

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

Place where social life and prosperity meet. Enjoy the Italian rhythm of this location.

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/

Viewpoint over Cellino Attanasio – a panorama that leaves you speechless From this viewpoint, the westernmost point of the medieval fortified village, a beautiful panorama unfolds over the rolling hills of Abruzzo. It is the ideal place to catch your breath and enjoy the tranquility. Cellino Attanasio is located on a hilltop at an altitude of 443 meters, between the Vomano and Piomba rivers. In clear weather, the view ranges from the Adriatic Sea to the imposing peaks of the Gran Sasso. A perfect stop for a photo and to realize why this authentic village has had such a strategic location for centuries.

Nice route for walking or cycling. Sharing the path, each at their own pace. Historical context: this beautiful pine forest was planted from 1923 onwards by the visionary Luigi Corrado Filiani and even gave the town its name. Today you walk in the shade of thousands of umbrella pines, with the Adriatic Sea always nearby. A quiet and atmospheric route where nature, history and coastal experience come together perfectly.