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Europe Italy Pescara Do & See Gabriele D’Annunzio’s Birthplace

Overview

Gabriele D’Annunzio’s Birthplace

The guide was updated: 2024-03-19

On Corso Manthoné lies the house where the controversial poet Gabriele D’Annunzio was born on 12 March 1863. It is now a museum with a collection of his letters and documents. A follower of Mussolini, D’Annunzio helped shape the dictator’s philosophy and wrote poetry inspired by the Abruzzo region.

Useful Information

Address: Corso Gabriele Manthone, 116, Pescara
Opening hours: Tue & Wed 9am–1:30pm, Thu–Sat 9am–7:30pm, Sun 9am–1:30pm, Mon closed
Phone: +39 085 60391

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

The Beach & Viale della Riviera

The Beach & Viale della Riviera

The 16-kilometre stretch of wide sandy beaches along the Adriatic coast is what makes Pescara a favourite holiday resort for thousands of Italian families and an increasing number of foreign visitors. The long promenade, Viale della Riviera, is the real heart of Pescara, and a stroll along the seafront is essential for any visit to the town. Along the beach, you can also join one of the 'stabilimenti', clubs where you can find restaurants, playgrounds and umbrellas to use on the beach.

Basilio Cascella Civic Museum

Basilio Cascella Civic Museum

This historic art museum is dedicated to the work of Basilio Cascella and some of his family members, who were key figures in the Art Nouveau movement. Take a look at the pieces of furniture, paintings, pottery, pictures and postcards in their former workshop and be amazed by the creative genius of this family.

Museum of the People of Abruzzo

Museum of the People of Abruzzo

The Museum of the People of Abruzzo (Museo delle Genti d'Abruzzo) is a former 16th-century prison turned into a museum displaying exhibits of local traditions of the Abruzzo region.

Piazza della Rinascita (Piazza Salotto)

Piazza della Rinascita (Piazza Salotto)

Piazza della Rinascita is the centre of public life in Pescara, and as such is bursting with life both in its public space and in its elegant cafés. It serves as an excellent spot for people-watching while you bask in the warm afternoon sun. In addition, the square occasionally transforms into a lively hub, hosting outdoor concerts and festivals.

Gabriele D’Annunzio’s Birthplace

Gabriele D’Annunzio’s Birthplace

On Corso Manthoné lies the house where the controversial poet Gabriele D’Annunzio was born on 12 March 1863. It is now a museum with a collection of his letters and documents. A follower of Mussolini, D’Annunzio helped shape the dictator’s philosophy and wrote poetry inspired by the Abruzzo region.

San Cetteo Cathedral

San Cetteo Cathedral

This cathedral is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, and it boasts some magnificent artwork, as well as the marble mausoleum of Gabriele D’Annunzio's mother. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century, although the façade had to be reconstructed after it was damaged during World War II.

Government Palace

Government Palace

On the façade of this government palace (Palazzo del Governo), you can see a collection of statues by Guido Costanzo, from Ortona. The four large sculptures symbolise the Mines, Agriculture, the Sea and the River, the four foundation pillars of Pescara. In the Hall of the Provincial Council, you can also admire the large bronze bust of poet Gabriele D'Annunzio.

Chieti

Chieti

Located only twenty minutes from Pescara, Chieti is a pleasantly provincial hillside town. A magnificent Gothic cathedral looms over Chieti, offering fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. The local Archaeological Museum (Museo Nazionale Archeologico di Antichità) is particularly intriguing. It is situated in a villa surrounded by a park and contains various archaeological finds, such as Roman statues and tombs.

Lanciano

Lanciano

Many visiting Chieti will also take some time out to visit Lanciano, a small town rich in Renaissance history with particularly well-preserved historical quarters in the Abruzzo region. Lanciano is famous for being the site of the first alleged Catholic Eucharistic Miracle to be recorded.

Museum of Modern Art Vittoria Colonna

Museum of Modern Art Vittoria Colonna

The Museum of Modern Art Vittoria Colonna is a small museum with a wide range of works by Italian and international artists. They have a permanent collection with paintings by Miró, Cascella, Michetti and Picasso, among others.

Nature Reserve Pineta Dannunziana

Nature Reserve Pineta Dannunziana

A small natural reserve and park located in the south of the city, more commonly referred to by locals as Parco D'Avalos. The citizens of Pescara love to take advantage of the vast green space and can often be seen jogging along the numerous paths or resting in the grass, admiring the swans and turtles.

Guardiagrele

Guardiagrele

The small town of Guardiagrele is another great option for a short day trip, but it is not reachable by train, so visitors are advised to hire a car. It lies in the foothills of the Maiella mountain, and the stunning views of the surrounding region led Gabriele d'Annunzio to nickname the town 'The terrace of Abruzzo'.

Ponte del Mare (Sea Bridge)

Ponte del Mare (Sea Bridge)

The impressive Ponte del Mare is a pedestrian and cycle suspension bridge crossing the Pescara River. Inaugurated in 2009, it is the largest bridge in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. Visitors can stroll along its winding 466-metre length to get a great aerial view of the area and feel the refreshing sea breeze on a hot day.

Fontana la Nave di Cascella

Fontana la Nave di Cascella

A stroll along Lungomare Giacomo Matteotti, one of the main arteries of the city, is a uniquely Pescara experience. With the beach on one side and a line of restaurants and cafés on the other, you will eventually end up at the beautiful Fontana la Nave di Cascella. Designed by Pietro Cascella using white Carrara marble, the fountain represents an ancient rowing boat that brings back the seafaring tradition of the city. It is located on the seafront and is the symbol of Pescara.

Aurum

Aurum

This stunning building from the 1910s was once a bathhouse for the affluent people of Pescara, as well as a liqueur distillery. Today it houses one of the best and most innovative art spaces in the city, hosting regular exhibitions, live performances and conferences. Its fancy name, 'Aurum - La Fabbrica delle Idee', means 'Gold - The Idea Factory'.

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