Atri is an ancient city, rich of history, art and culture. Its origins date back to the tenth century B.C. It was part of the Autonomous Republic of the Piceno Confederation, who’s capital city was Piceno, coined its own exceptionally important money, and that before Rome did, gave its name to the Adriatic Sea, among its administrators it counted no less than an roman emperor, Elio Adriano, a native of Atri; It was a Municipium, a free city with its own statutes, Episcopal see and the capital of the Duchy of Acquaviva. Known for being a city of Saints, artists, scholars, refined artisans, museums, libraries and generally known for its significant historical sites.
Today it is still a true city of art and culture, with a strong touristic attraction. His most notable monuments are the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, a Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral of the thirteenth century with its crypt, the Cistercian Cloister, the Holy Door and the frescoes made by Andrea De Litio, and for its excavated caves to reinforce the walls, the above mentioned pre-Roman minted coins, the Roman Theatre, the Ducal palace, the Municipal Theatre and numerous churches. Worth visiting is the Capitular Museum, the Municipal Ethnographic Museum, the tutorial musical instruments Museum, the Regional Natural Park of the Calanchi, the Archaeological Fountains and the gardens of the Cappuccini Friars.
Among the traditional gastronomic product is the famous Atri pecorino cheese, licorice which is still produced in a Dominican monastery, olive oil and wine, and then the meat of pork and lamb, that’s processed in many different and tasty ways, the homemade pasta and backed desserts of the Clare nuns of Santa Chiara.
© video: Comune di Atri