Overview
It is one of the pearls of the Adriatic, among the most popular summer resorts on the Abruzzo coast. If you
are looking for a holiday in perfect symbiosis between the sea and the green hills, Tortoreto is the destination for you.
The renowned seaside resort, which stretches in the area between the Vibrata river to the north and the Salinello river to the south, has a 'green vocation' that can count on several strong points, starting with almost four kilometres of fine, wide, and well-maintained beach, served in its entirety by a tree-lined promenade, bicycle paths, and excellent accommodation facilities.
Defined by many as 'aristocratic and elegant' for the sobriety of its urban décor and the elegance of the numerous Art Nouveau villas along the seafront, Tortoreto has experienced an urban development over time that respects the environment and nature. The medieval village of Tortoreto Alto is dominated by a Renaissance tower of the Misericordia, located in the central square. Proceeding towards the outer perimeter, remains of ancient fortifications are visible, including a cylindrical tower.
If you are passionate about art and history, stop and visit the Church of Santa Maria della Misericordia, in late Romanesque style, inside which you can admire a precious cycle of frescoes depicting the life and Passion of Christ painted in 1526 by Giacomo Bonfini of Ascoli Piceno and his pupils. The exterior is very simple, rectangular in shape, with a brick-clad gabled ceiling, and with the façade adorned with an architraved portal surmounted by a window in the axis.
The parish Church of San Nicola is also of great historical and artistic importance. Although it is of very ancient origin (it was built before the 11th century), it has been completely renovated over time both externally (the façade dates back to the 18th century) and internally with a single nave. The Church of Sant'Agostino, built in the 17th century in Baroque style, has a single nave with a ribbed vault and wooden side altars with stucco decorations. Inside, there is a painting of the Baptism of St Augustine (1653) by Mattia Preti.
In Tortoreto Lido, you can also visit the Ecomuseo del Mare (Eco- Museum of the Sea), aimed at protecting and enhancing the collective heritage connected to the town's fishing community, inside which you will also find interesting palaeontological finds.
Suspended between the Alto town and the Lido, Tortoreto's culinary offerings consist of a synthesis of the land and sea flavours of Teramo tradition, from fresh fish dishes (guazzetti, spaghetti with clams, roasts, frittura di paranza) to chitarra alle pallottine, and timballo di scrippelle.
