The economy of the town is mostly based on activities connected with agriculture and commerce, as well as a sound industrial sector: textiles, foods, engineering, building materials and ceramics. Teramo can be reached from the A14 and the A24 motorways.
The climate in the region is described as fresh-temperate. During the coolest month, which is January, temperatures average around 5.5 °C (41.9 °F). On the other hand, during the warmest month, July, temperatures average around 24 °C (75 °F). In winter, the region experiences significant snowfall, as observed in 2005. Precipitation is not frequent and is mainly concentrated in late spring. Summers in the area are characterised by days of relatively high temperatures.
Climate data for Teramo, elevation 300 m (980 ft), (1991–2014)
Interamna (Greek:Ἰντέραμνα:Eth. Interamnas, Interamnātis) was the name of several cities in different parts of Italy. Its etymology, already pointed out byVarro andFestus, indicates their position at the confluence of two streams.[6] The form "Interamnium" (Greek:Ἰντεράμνιον), and the ethnic form Interamnis are also found, but more rarely. The name referred to the two rivers Vezzola and Tordino, between which it lies.[citation needed]
The name is already defined in extant manuscripts of theLiber Coloniarum intoTeramne, whence its modern form of Teramo. But in theMiddle Ages it appears to have been known also by the name ofAprutium, supposed to be a corruption ofPraetutium, or rather of the name of the peoplePraetutii, applied (as was so often the case inGaul) to their chief city. Thus the nameAbrutium is present among the cities ofPicenum enumerated by theGeographer of Ravenna (iv. 31); and under theLombards acomes Aprutii is mentioned. The name has been retained in that ofAbruzzo, now a region of Italy.[citation needed]
A settlement of the 1st millennium BC and some buildings of ancientItalic tribes were the object of archaeological excavations. The most ancient historical remains were found in the outskirts of the city, precisely in the neighborhood Madonna delle grazie, where, among many, a burial place with a dagger and a halberd were found. Allegedly, the development of the old settlement was due to the commercial center founded by theEtruscan civilization.
According to the Roman authorSextus Julius Frontinus, the ancient Perut or Pretut (meaning "Hill surrounded by waters") strongly developed in dimensions and importance until it became the capital of thePraetutii tribe.
In thebattle of Sentinum (295 BC), theRomans defied the Italian confederation (Sabellians, Etrusci, Umbri and their allies theGauls), starting theSamnite Wars. In 290 BC, the Sabine area, along with thePraetutii’s region was occupied by the legions sent by the consulManius Curius Dentatus. The city took the Latin name ofInteramnia Praetuttiorum orInteramnia Praetutia ("City of the Praetutii between two rivers"). During the reign ofAugustus Interamnia is included in the Picenum district. The area of the current province was divided from south to north into the Ager Hatrianus, Ager Praetutianus and Ager Palmense.
After theSecond Social War, Interamnia became a municipium. The city lost the status of Municipium because of the participation ofLucius Cornelius Sulla in theSocial war (91–88 BC), but the city will subsequently regain it for expressed will ofJulius Caesar.
During the Roman age, thanks to its nearness to the capital of the empire, the city lived a prosperous and favorable moment as proven by the numerous mosaics, theater, thermal baths and the amphitheater remains. As historians likePtolemy,Livy andPliny remember, the city reached its best period under the emperorHadrian, with the constructions of the temples dedicated toMars andApollo.
In 1129, the city was conquered by theNormans, as part of theCounty of Apulia. In 1140, it became a possession ofRoger II of Sicily, the firstKing of Sicily. During the strife following Roger's coronation, Teramo was destroyed by a Norman force underRobert II of Loritello. Only the tower of Piazza Sant’Anna was saved from this sack; from this moment on it will be called Torre Bruciata (burnt tower). In 1268, the domination of theHouse of Hohenstaufen, who had inherited Sicily from Roger II's line, ended; they were replaced by theHouse of Anjou.
The ecclesiastical authority of the Aprutina Diocese, led by the bishops Rainaldo Acquaviva, Niccolò degli Arcioni (1317), Stefano da Teramo (1335) and Pietro di Valle (1366) boosted the city's economy, as witnessed by the construction of castles, churches, cloisters and palaces along with the great privileges granted by the sovereigns. Within the following two centuries Teramo became part of theKingdom of Naples.
The 15th century saw the struggles between the most important families of the city (De Valle and Melatino). The exemplary hanging of 13 followers of Melatino's family is still remembered in a stone shield in the very center of the city. The monument represents two heads with their tongues out under the writing “A lo parlare agi mesura” (mind what you say).
During the first years of the century, the tyrant Antonello de Valle was assassinated; his castle, located in what is nowGaribaldi Square, was demolished. The legend says that the belligerence between the families ended thanks to the women of the city who proclaimed a strike of affection. Despite the internal struggles, the city lived a very developed cultural period in the century. Artists like Jacobello del Fiore andNicola da Guardiagrele were called to work in the city, which had commercial relationship withTuscany andVenice.
After the death ofFerdinand II,Charles II of Spain sold Teramo to the Duke ofAtri for 40,000 ducats. The people of Teramo rebelled, but with no result. In 1626 Teramo was struck by an earthquake, followed four years later by the plague. From 1707, after of theWar of the Spanish Succession, theHabsburg monarchy rules the wholeKingdom of the Two Sicilies for 27 years. During theAge of Enlightenment Teramo is an active centre of intellectual life, especially withMelchiorre Delfico, a notable poet, composer and Italian philosopher. In 1798 French troops entered Teramo, and though they were initially repulsed by the citizens, they returned a few days later, sacking the whole city.
In 1925,the first Italian Psychoanalytic Society was founded in Teramo.
DuringWorld War II, on 25 June 1943, German troops arrived in Teramo and proceeded to Bosco Martese where they fought against the men of theResistance movement. The episode is remembered as the "Battle of Bosco Martese".
theCathedral of Saint Berardo, built in 1158 by bishop Guido II, in Romanesque style. It has a portal in Gothic style, finished in 1332 by the Roman master Deodato di Cosma. It houses a silverantependium byNicola of Guardiagrele (with 35 scenes of the life of Jesus) and apolyptych by the Venetian artist Jacobello del Fiore depicting the Incoronation of the Virgin. Annexed is a 50-metre-tall (164-foot) bell tower.
the Romanesque church of Sant'Antonio (1127), with a decorated portal. The interior, with a single nave, was renovated along Baroque lines.
the church of San Getulio, built in the early Middle Ages on the ruins of a Roman temple, finally destroyed in 1155 by the Normans. Only the presbyterium and some Romanesque elements of the original building remain today.
the church of San Domenico (14th century) with a fine Virgin with Child.
the sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie (also known as Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie). It has a Romanesque cloister and a 15th-century miraculous wooden statue of the Virgin, attributed to Silvestro dell'Aquila.
the Palazzo Vescovile ("Bishops Palace"), from the 14th century.
the remains of the Roman theatre (built about 30 BC) and of the amphitheatre (about 3rd–4th century AD). Under Palazzo Savini are remains of a Romandomus, including a 1st-century BCopus tessellatum pavement which depicts a fighting lion and other decorative elements.
theTorre Bruciata ("Burnt Tower"), a Roman tower from the 2nd century BC, inopus quadratum. The name derives from the traces left by the siege in 1156 byRobert III of Loritello.
Church ofSanta Maria de Praediis (10th–11th centuries), built using materials from the destroyed castle and Roman villas and temples.
An art exhibit,Maggio Festeggiante, is held each May. The summer calendar includes the Teramo Literary Prize and theInteramnia World Cup, an international handball event. A week in October is also dedicated to an international photography of film show.[citation needed]
TheUniversity of Teramo offers five faculties, 24 bachelor's degree courses, 35 master's, six postgraduate schools and 10 departments. The Coste Sant'Agostino Campus holds the faculties ofLaw,Communication Sciences, andPolitical Science. The university is going through a period of internationalization by offering scholarships to students from all over of the world.
The Observatory of Teramo was founded byVincenzo Cerulli in 1890–1891, and donated to the Italian administration in 1891. Starting from 1994, the observatory owns an 80-centimetre-diameter (31.5 in) optical telescope.[citation needed]
At the municipal level, the City of Teramo has a council made up of the mayor and councilmen that are elected every 5 years. in Italy every citizen over 18 has the right to vote.[citation needed]
Teramo Basket was a basketball team playing inSerie A, the Italian professional basketball league. They finished third in the league in 2009 which qualified them for theEurocup in 2010. Italian and American players have appeared with the team, includingBobby Jones,Clay Tucker,Jaycee Carroll,Roger Powell, andHassan Adams. They dissolved in 2012 due to financial issues.
Other sports practiced in Teramo are: tennis (the city hosts an international tournament once a year),rugby,water polo andrallying with Rally of Teramo. TheMaratonina pretuziana short marathon is celebrated every year.
Teramotorball is the team that has won the most titles in Italy; it has also won a Champion's league.
The provincialTeramo gastronomy is known for its variety and richness. Typical ingredients include agnello (lamb), peperoncino (hot pepper), formaggio pecorino (sheep milk cheeses), and slow roasted pork. Common wines are the renownedMontepulciano and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo.
Typical dishes from Teramo and the surrounding communities include the following:
scrippelle – This dish is served in the throughout the Teramo province and is somewhat similar to Frenchcrêpes, although typically made without milk. There are two common variations. The first is scrippelle 'mbusse – (dialect for scrippelle in brodo or broth) and consists of scrippelle rolled up inPecorino orParmesan cheese and served in chicken broth. A second variation istimballo – scrippelle layered withragù, meat or tinymeatballs (polpettini), various cheeses such asscamorza, and sometimes peas (piselli).
maccheroni alla chitarra – a flat, stringlike egg pasta which takes its name from the wooden instrument, basically a wooden frame strung with fine metal wire, called a chitarra (guitar), used to cut the pasta.
mazzarelle – lamb's lung and innards wrapped in beet greens or chard and braised in white wine or tomato sauce. Not for the faint of heart and not to be confused with mozzarella cheese.
virtù – a vegetable soup typically prepared in May of each year to celebrate spiritual redemption and the bountiful virtues of the Earth. It is made with a wide variety of locally grown vegetables and typically includes "annit" (a type of wild fennel).
tacchino alla canzanese – a dish famous in the nearby provincial town of Canzano. Made by slow baking a turkey in gelatin (an ancient method of preserving meat) and typically served cold.
vino cotto – a fortified wine, found also in theMarche region, produced by slowly boiling down grape juice before fermentation and aging thus producing a sweet and rich dessert-type of wine. Consumed both straight up and in cooking.
caggiunitti – deep fried almond fritters typically made with chocolate and chestnuts.
bocconotti – traditional Teramo dish, known with different variations in the rest of Italy, sweet typical of Montorio Al Vomano (city in the province of Teramo) covered with shortcrust pastry and stuffed with grape jam, chocolate and toasted almonds.
Teramo is located 150 kilometres (93 miles) away fromRome, to which it is connected through the A24 highway called Teramo-Rome.By railways, Teramo is connected withPescara.[citation needed]
The nearest airport is the “Abruzzo Airport”. It is 65 kilometres (40 miles) away from the city center and it is connected to the city through highway A14.[citation needed]
