December 8th is ‘Immacolata Concezione’ (Immaculate Conception Day), when Italy traditionally turns on its Christmas lights, but in Abruzzo, there is another tradition and rite in many beach and mountain towns, the lighting of giant bonfires accompanied by song and cheer that begin on the 7th December!
Francavilla al Mare celebrates the 7th of December with the tradition of Focaracci as a vigil for Immaculate Conception Day.
Abruzzo has been awarded 13 Blue Flags for the best of its beaches in 2022! These glorious golden sand beaches stretch along the Adriatic coast through 3 provinces, but also inland in L’Aquila on its lakes!
Learn the best-kept secrets of Abruzzo’s most famous artist and his works, Francesco Paolo Michetti’s through his Francavilla al Mare biographer Ernesto Bertucci Bellafante
For many Francavilla al Mare is simply a modern seaside town, to be enjoyed for its sandy beaches, shallow waters and eating a wonderful seafood lunch, but it has a rich cultural history and was formerly nicknamed Abruzzo’s Cradle of Art, which you can still dip into when you visit helped along by a local whose tips are always the very best to follow!
Francavilla al Mare’s Carnevale d’Abruzzo had but 5 tractor-pulled floats but for sheer numbers of gappy smiles it shone like there is no tomorrow