Lanciano

Formed of a modern part on the lower-lying land and the old town, divided into four districts distributed over three hills, Lanciano offers some stunning views. It has a large number of historic buildings offering spectacular panoramic views. The ancient village, built around the 5th century BC on the Erminio hill, on what is now Lancianovecchia, grew to include the districts of Borgo and Civitanova - Sacca, after the year 1000. The arrival of Normans and Swabians in the Middle Ages swelled the local population. Lanciano later became a venue for some of the biggest trade fairs in the Kingdom of Naples, attracting merchants from as far afield as Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Despite the extensive damage caused by wartime bombings, the history and memory of the town lives on.