Alba Adriatica is a fairly recently founded town on the Adriatic coast. The town is best known for its wide beach, nicknamed Spiaggia d’Argento (“Silver Beach”).
Alba Adriatica travel guide
Tourist information
Region: Abruzzo. Province: Teramo. The Tourist Office is located at the Lungomare Marconi, Alba Adriatica (tel. +39 0861712426). The Postal Code is 64011 and the area code 0861.
Public transportation
The train station of Alba Adriatica is located in the center of the town, about a kilometer walk from the coast.
A brief history of Alba Adriatica
That the area was already inhabited in Roman times is known because a number of ruins of small military ports have been found along the coast. Roman remains, including many jars, were also found during the construction of Piazza del Popolo.
In later years, the region was often the scene of wars between the Greeks and Goths, and the domination of the Lombards and Normans also caused much poverty in the area. Moreover, the coastline was plagued by attacks by Saracen and Turkish pirates. (One of the many watchtowers built to prevent these incursions can still be seen on the northern side of the city).
From the 16th to the 18th century, the region was part of the Kingdom of Naples and formed the border area with the Papal State, which would last until the Unification of Italy.
After a long bureaucratic struggle, which actually started towards the end of the 19th century, Tortoreto Stazione was renamed Alba Adriatica in 1956 and began its existence as an independent town.
Apart from tourism, leather working is also an important industry in the town.
In 2007, Alba Adriatica was hit by a major flood, which caused extensive damage.
Tourist attractions Alba Adriatica
The city’s beach is almost 3 kilometers long and about 100 meters wide, which is a lot for Italy. The nickname Spiaggio d’Argento is due to the color of the sand.
The Torrione is a large tower from the 16th century, when the area was subject to the Kingdom of Naples.
The Sant’Eufemia Church is the oldest and the Chiesa dell’Immacolata the newest church of the city.
A number of villas constructed by 18th century aristocrats. The most notable are the Villa Chiarugi, the Villa Moscardini, the Villa Ranalli and the Villa Gianluca Palma and Villa Zanini built in the early 20th century.
By car to Alba Adriatica
The city is located along the Autostrada E14 (toll road) and the Superstrada (SS16), which run along the coast. The provincial road SP259 leads to Ascoli Piceno.