Avezzano

A compact town in Abruzzo's Marsica area with a café-filled centre and vineyards nearby, Avezzano carries a layered history: first documented in the 9th century, it grew significantly after the draining of Lake Fucino in the late 19th century, was nearly levelled by the 1915 earthquake, and suffered Allied bombing in 1944. Today it serves as a base for the surrounding Apennine mountain locations and is home to the Fucino Space Centre.

• Population37,808
• Nearest water3.4 km
• Nearest mountain2.9 km
• UNESCO within 50 km5