Even today, the historic center evokes the charm of this long history: historic monuments and buildings, churches, museums, suggestive views, these are the many pieces of the enchanting mosaic that Atri offers its visitors.
In Piazza Duomo stands the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta which dates back to the XIII century. Its four portals from the XIII-XIV century are of remarkable workmanship, while the interior with three naves has a square apse with a wonderful cycle of frescoes by the fifteenth-century Abruzzese artist Andrea De Litio.
The adjoining museum preserves precious relics: painted majolica, ivory and silver crosses and pastorals, illuminated manuscripts, statues and mosaics from the oldest buildings. Also important are the cloister with two orders and the bell tower finished in the 15th century by Antonio da Lodi.
Also in Piazza Duomo, the portico with round arches of Palazzo Mambelli, the Bishop’s Palace and the Seminary belonging to the late sixteenth century.
THE 19TH CENTURY THEATER MUNICIPALITY, CALLED LA BOMBONIERA, BECAUSE OF ITS SIZE (300 SEATS), IS PERFECTLY PRESERVED,
and the enviable acoustics, it follows the Teatro della Scala in Milan on the outside, while the interior seems to refer to the San Carlo in Naples, in its three tiers of boxes and gallery.
The Palazzo Ducale degli Acquaviva is majestic, the current seat of the Town Hall, a sort of fortress entirely in stone, built in the first half of the fourteenth century and remodeled in the eighteenth century. The facade hides a Renaissance courtyard surrounded by a loggia with inscriptions and Roman remains.
Between art and nature, the landscape of the Atrian hills fascinates for the spectacular presence of the Calanchi, real natural sculptures, born from the millennial erosion of the clayey soil, creating an almost lunar landscape and scenario. Atri certainly deserves a visit for all the beauties it preserves, evidence of a very rich civil and artistic history. The town can be reached by taking the A14 motorway towards Pescara, exiting at the Atri-Pineto tollbooth and following the signs for Atri.
