DISCOVER LANCIANO - THE OLD TOWN
Lanciano is a town and comune in the province of Chieti, part of the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It has 36,304 inhabitants as of 2011. The town is also known for the first recorded alleged Catholic Eucharistic Miracle. The town is located on hills and its town territory covers 66 square kilometres (25 sq mi) from Val di Sangro to Castelfrentano, and its elevation is about 265 metres (869 ft) above sea level. It is bordered by Atessa, Castel Frentano, Fossacesia, Frisa, Mozzagrogna, Orsogna, Paglieta, Poggiofiorito, Rocca San Giovanni, San Vito Chietino, Sant'Eusanio del Sangro and Treglio. Regarding the climate, the temperature averages about 4 °C (39 °F) in winter and 25 °C (77 °F) in summer.
It usually snows about three times a year. During the summer there can be sultry days. The ancient Roman name of Lanciano was Anxanum, a town of the Frentani Italic tribe. The town is said to have been founded in 1181 BC by Solimus, a Trojan refugee arrived in Italy along with Aeneas.
Legends aside, archaeological findings have shown that the area was settled from the 5th millennium BC. Under the Frentani it was probably under the influence of Greater Greece. After the end of the Samnite Wars, which saw the Frentani allied with the Romans, Lancianum obtained the status of municipium. It was probably a flourishing commercial site, across an ancient and important trade route connecting Pescara to Apulia. According to tradition, Lanciano is also the birthplace of Longinus the Roman centurion who thrust his spear into Jesus' side during the Crucifixion: Lanciano in Italian means "of the Spear" During the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lanciano was sacked by the Goths, and was destroyed during the Lombard invasion (c. 571 AD).
LANCIANO MAPS
GALLERY
Quartiere Sacca - Lanciano
Quartiere Lanciano Vecchia - Lanciano
Quartiere Borgo - Lanciano
Quartiere Civitanova - Lanciano
Lanciano
CAR RECOMMENDED
Lanciano is very conveniently located in the Frentan area. The costa dei Trabocchi is over 60 km long and includes many small bays and coves where you can enjoy a swim in safe, clean waters. Pescara and Vasto resorts are a 50 min drive. There are many hilltop villages to visit like Grotte del Cavallone, Roccascalegna, Bocca di Valle, Pennadomo, Pizzoferrato, Gessopalena, Fara San Martino famous for the pasta makers De Cecco and Del Verde. In Lago di Casoli and Lago di Bomba (featuring canoeing in 2009 Mediterranean Games) you can go fishing. They are only 15/20 min drive away. The Miglianico Golf and Country Club, designed by Ronald Kirby, an American architect is only 30 minutes drive away.This club, featuring Mediterranean Games on 29/30 June and 1/3 July 2009, includes a club-house, bar & restaurant, swimming pool and a 18 holes course (par 72). Winter sports resorts are Passo Lanciano (30 mns drive away) Roccaraso(1 h drive) Capracotta for cross country skiing (50 min drive away)
Other Activities: Tennis, trekking, cycling, sailing, rafting, canoeing, caving. If you love nature you can go to 'Oasi di Serranella' and practise bird watching.
