Why it’s taken me so long for to visit Teramo I’ll probably never know.
Perhaps I was waiting until I had the perfect post title. 
It’s just a little over an hour from my Loreto Aprutino base using the motorway, not much more than an hour and a half if I take the SS16 Adriatica, and if I want to make it nice relaxing multi-stop journey I can visit Pineto, Roseto degli Abruzzi and/or Giulianova en-route.
How long did the journey to Teramo take me? Well there’s an argument that the trip took 4 years!
After I found Abruzzo, or Abruzzo found me, I visited Pescara, Chieti and L’Aquila pretty promptly. Pescara was easy. In fact I explored Pescara before I even saw Loreto Aprutino. Chieti was the next obvious choice, less than an hour away and rich with history. Then came L’Aquila. We stayed a night in there in 2008 and loved every minute– what a beautiful city, what a tragedy it’s had to endure.
But Teramo escaped. So many other Abruzzo destinations received our attention but not the last of the four provincial capitals.
So let me get one thing clear – Teramo is stunning and I can’t wait to visit again.
For some reason I had the impression it was very industrial. Maybe there’s more industry there than anywhere else in Abruzzo but the city itself is beautiful. I really can’t explain why I had such a strong impression that has absolutely no foundation.
Teramo, I apologise for thinking badly of you!
We arrived on a late October day and the sun greeted us warmly. Its presence was a bit of a surprise as for most of that week Abruzzo was covered in a thick grey blanket of mist and cloud. But almost as if Teramo was welcoming us blue started appearing in the sky and then the sun arrived.
The history of Teramo and its ancient Praetutii population stretches back quite a few centuries. Close to 300BC the Praetutii and several other nearby tribes where in bloody disagreement with the Romans and gave rise to the Third Samnite War (298 to 290 BC). The remains of a Roman Amphitheatre and Theatre, though not from 300BC, bring your imagination back to that ancient period.
Other sights include the Cathedral of San Berardo, the church of Madonna delle Grazie located outside the walls, a tonne of other churches (I’m not joking Teramo is filled with them), and my personal favourite, the wide open space of Piazza Martiri della Libertà.
So what did we get up to? Well as you can see from the photos we wandered around the city, visited a few churches (had to be done), saw the old walls and ancient Roman monuments and sat and watched the world go by while sipping a prosecco in Piazza Martiri della Libertà.
It was an absolute joy to be sitting in a piazza that was big, open, populated by pedestrians and cyclists and full of interesting buildings. Throw in the sun and a blue sky and it felt like paradise.
Teramo is a city I’d like to get to know better. I hope to get the opportunity to spend the night there, explore the city in greater depth and sample the night life. Maybe find the perfect restaurant and splash out on a really good bottle of wine from the nearby hills. I can’t wait.
I asked P how she felt about Teramo and she immediately described an encounter she had with woman on steps of Il Duomo di San Berardo (Cathedral of San Berardo). P asked for directions and after giving them enthusiastically the woman welcomed P to Teramo and spent time chatting away, talking about the city and asking all about us, our backgrounds and where we were from. She had a natural openness and curiosity that I associate with Abruzzo in general and I now associate with Teramo specifically.
Love the title and the post. My sentiments too. I was just a few k’s from Teremo in June and didn’t visit. Really looks like L’Aquila and seems to have the friendliness. Thanks!
Lke L’Aquila, in some ways perhaps – but as with all good places to visit, it has an identity all of its own.
Thank you for your beautiful post and photos of Teramo. Yes! I’m fond of Teramo, too. We visited it a year ago and were captured by its tranquillity and non glamorous beauty.
My favorite place is the ancient Duomo, a tiny church with glass floors to observe its old white stones.
“Tranquillity and non glamorous beauty” – I like that. I think that capture Teramo perfectly.
I think that most part of Abruzzo, except Pescara, could be defined so…
Auguroni on your first visit to Teramo! My parents were born just 6K outside of the city in a small town called Garrano Basso (along the road for Teramo-Ascoli). I too, adore Teramo. My childhood summers were spent with afternoon strolls along the Corso, eating gelato and window shopping. I am so glad she made such a good first impression on you!
Thanks for stopping by Paola.
I can imagine that evening walk, perhaps as the sun is setting, with a gelato of course, was absolute bliss.
I hope to get the opportunity to return soon.