Abruzzo property, land, houses for sale

Abruzzo, where we have villas and apartments for sale

Abruzzo and Molise are sparsely populated, quiet places where the wild landscape exerts a strong influence. Settled by various Apennine tribes in the Middle Bronze Age, the areas were later subdued by the Romans, united under the Normans in the 12th century and, thereafter, ruled by a succession of dynasties based in Naples. Abruzzo, dominated by the Apennines, is a brooding, introspective land of shepherds. Vertiginous drops preface the ascent to ramshackle hill towns clinging to the dies of high mountains, semi-abandoned and poor. Molise is less dramatic, but life in both regions is primitive. Legends of witches persist, as do strange fertility rites and rituals celebrating the changing seasons.

Abruzzo is wild and mountainous, dropping down to the sandy, Adriatic coastline; castles and hilltop villages. Abruzzo’s major towns are Chieti, L’Aquila, Pescara and Teramo.

Abruzzo’s National Park is vast with its rich landscape of high peaks, rivers, lakes and forests and is one of Europe’s most important nature reserves. Until 1877, it formed part of a royal hunting reserve, but today it provides refuge for over 40 species of mammal, 30 types of reptile and 300 species of bird, including the golden eagle and white-backed woodpecker. Walkers can choose from an extensive network of paths, and there are opportunities for riding skiing and canoeing, making the park popular with visits.

Set in wonderful natural surroundings. You have the mountains on one side and the Adriatic sea on the other. You can ski, go rock climbing or para-gliding, hiking or sailing. You can be in Rome in a couple of hours, in Florence, Pisa, Bologna, or Venice in not much more, or you can jump on either a plane or a fast boat and be in Croatia in no time.

The older property is mostly medieval, and therefore has incredible character features like vaulted ceilings, stone staircases and original terra cotta flooring that simply can't be found in the UK, or indeed in the more modern buildings in Italy.