DISCOVERING
Silvi Marina
Silvi Marina, defined by Gabriele D’Annunzio as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, is one of the most charming and well-equipped seaside resorts on the Abruzzo Riviera, a quiet and hospitable town that stretches along six kilometres of soft golden beach washed by a warm, azure sea and protected by a green hill covered by centuries-old olive trees and crowned by the old town centre, ‘Silvi Alta’.
The Silvi Marina beach has also been awarded the international Blue Flag, Green Flag and 4 Legambiente sails for years.
Its strength is also its comfortable green seafront promenade, ideal for daytime and evening walks or bike rides, for reaching services, businesses, bars, ice cream parlours and squares where the numerous summer events and concerts are held.
The patron saint’s festival of Santa Maria Assunta is also very popular during the summer, on 15 August, for the civil part organised by the association of local fishermen and ex-fishermen, custodians of Silvi’s strong seafaring tradition: the day begins with the procession of boats on the sea, with the statue of the Madonna on the first boat and the simultaneous passage of the band along the seafront, then the solemn open-air Mass in Piazza dei pini, continuing with festivals, concerts, and closing at midnight with fireworks over the sea.
The Marine Protected Area Torre del Cerrano begins 500 metres from the hotel, with its lush pine forests and the ancient and characteristic fortress on the sea.
The Adriatic capital of Pescara is 12 km away, and the immediate vicinity is full of villages, cities of art, nature reserves, amusement parks, cinemas, outlets and shopping centres.
THE ANCIENT FISHING VILLAGE OF SILVI ALTA
The Borgo di Silvi Alta, or Silvi Paese, described by D’Annunzio as “the prow of a ship ready to set sail“, is our historic centre, listed among the “Authentic Villages of Italy“. Situated 243 metres above sea level, it dominates our hillside with its characteristic arches and offers one of the most beautiful and romantic belvederes in Abruzzo, with a view sweeping over the Adriatic from the Conero to the Tremiti, and over the Maiella and Gran Sasso mountains.
The origins of ‘Castrum Silvae’ date back to the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the Belfiore Tower and the Church of San Salvatore, built around 1100. There is also the Church of San Rocco, built in the 16th century as a rural chapel; the Chapel of the Madonna dello Splendore, along the road from Silvi Marina to Silvi Paese. There is also a modern 20th-century fountain by maestro Giuseppe Vallescura.
At the end of May, St Leone, the patron saint, is celebrated: legend has it that in the 14th century, the Turks landed in the small port of Cerrano (the ancient port of Atri and Silvi) and, after sacking the coast, headed for the hill of Silvi.
A brave young man named Leo came down the hill with a torch in his hand and confronted them. The light emanating from the torch became so dazzling and incandescent that the almost blinded enemies thought it was an entire army. Frightened, the invaders retreated. In memory of the feat, ‘Lu Ciancialone’, a very tall bundle of reeds that, once hoisted, is lit from the top. Around the propitiatory fire, singing and dancing until late at night.
During the summer, the village is a destination for both daytime and evening strolls: the main street and the squares are full of small bars, characteristic shops, and are animated by numerous events and shows.
TORRE DEL CERRANO MARINE PROTECTED AREA
Looking northwards from our beach, you will notice a lush coastal pine forest and a striking fortress tower on the sea: the TORRE DI CERRANO.
Dating back to 1568, it was one of the many coastal fortifications of the Kingdom of Naples, designed to repel attacks by Turks and Saracens. Opposite are archaeological remains from Roman times, probably belonging to the ancient port of Hadria (present-day Atri).
Today it houses the International Veterinary Training Centre, the Library and Museum of the Sea, and has been home to the Marine Protected Area of the same name since 2010.
The MPA extends for 7 km between the beaches and the sea of Silvi and Pineto, and was created to protect and enhance the local fauna and flora (the Kentish plover, the numerous marine species, the pine forest, the Mediterranean tower garden, the rich vegetation of the coastal dunes) through careful environmental protection.
In addition to enjoying wonderful walks in the area, with a must-visit stop on the tower’s outdoor terrace, you can take part in the events and activities on offer: guided tours, dawn concerts, theatre performances, canoeing, snorkelling and much more.
The Silvi Marina beach has also been awarded the international Blue Flag, Green Flag and 4 Legambiente sails for years.
Its strength is also its comfortable green seafront promenade, ideal for daytime and evening walks or bike rides, for reaching services, businesses, bars, ice cream parlours and squares where the numerous summer events and concerts are held.
The patron saint’s festival of Santa Maria Assunta is also very popular during the summer, on 15 August, for the civil part organised by the association of local fishermen and ex-fishermen, custodians of Silvi’s strong seafaring tradition: the day begins with the procession of boats on the sea, with the statue of the Madonna on the first boat and the simultaneous passage of the band along the seafront, then the solemn open-air Mass in Piazza dei pini, continuing with festivals, concerts, and closing at midnight with fireworks over the sea.
The Marine Protected Area Torre del Cerrano begins 500 metres from the hotel, with its lush pine forests and the ancient and characteristic fortress on the sea.
The Adriatic capital of Pescara is 12 km away, and the immediate vicinity is full of villages, cities of art, nature reserves, amusement parks, cinemas, outlets and shopping centres.
THE ANCIENT FISHING VILLAGE OF SILVI ALTA
The Borgo di Silvi Alta, or Silvi Paese, described by D’Annunzio as “the prow of a ship ready to set sail“, is our historic centre, listed among the “Authentic Villages of Italy“. Situated 243 metres above sea level, it dominates our hillside with its characteristic arches and offers one of the most beautiful and romantic belvederes in Abruzzo, with a view sweeping over the Adriatic from the Conero to the Tremiti, and over the Maiella and Gran Sasso mountains.
The origins of ‘Castrum Silvae’ date back to the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the Belfiore Tower and the Church of San Salvatore, built around 1100. There is also the Church of San Rocco, built in the 16th century as a rural chapel; the Chapel of the Madonna dello Splendore, along the road from Silvi Marina to Silvi Paese. There is also a modern 20th-century fountain by maestro Giuseppe Vallescura.
At the end of May, St Leone, the patron saint, is celebrated: legend has it that in the 14th century, the Turks landed in the small port of Cerrano (the ancient port of Atri and Silvi) and, after sacking the coast, headed for the hill of Silvi.
A brave young man named Leo came down the hill with a torch in his hand and confronted them. The light emanating from the torch became so dazzling and incandescent that the almost blinded enemies thought it was an entire army. Frightened, the invaders retreated. In memory of the feat, ‘Lu Ciancialone’, a very tall bundle of reeds that, once hoisted, is lit from the top. Around the propitiatory fire, singing and dancing until late at night.
During the summer, the village is a destination for both daytime and evening strolls: the main street and the squares are full of small bars, characteristic shops, and are animated by numerous events and shows.
TORRE DEL CERRANO MARINE PROTECTED AREA
Looking northwards from our beach, you will notice a lush coastal pine forest and a striking fortress tower on the sea: the TORRE DI CERRANO.
Dating back to 1568, it was one of the many coastal fortifications of the Kingdom of Naples, designed to repel attacks by Turks and Saracens. Opposite are archaeological remains from Roman times, probably belonging to the ancient port of Hadria (present-day Atri).
Today it houses the International Veterinary Training Centre, the Library and Museum of the Sea, and has been home to the Marine Protected Area of the same name since 2010.
The MPA extends for 7 km between the beaches and the sea of Silvi and Pineto, and was created to protect and enhance the local fauna and flora (the Kentish plover, the numerous marine species, the pine forest, the Mediterranean tower garden, the rich vegetation of the coastal dunes) through careful environmental protection.
In addition to enjoying wonderful walks in the area, with a must-visit stop on the tower’s outdoor terrace, you can take part in the events and activities on offer: guided tours, dawn concerts, theatre performances, canoeing, snorkelling and much more.
