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Villa Rosa beach with the Gran Sasso in the background

The origin of this work, built on the northern edge of the San Benedetto Alta settlement, is mysterious. According to various scholars who have attempted its historical reconstruction, it was not part of the medieval walls of the castle that ended along Via Voltattorni, rejoining the fortress dominated by the Torre dei Gualtieri. The structures we see today can be traced back to expansions carried out in 1727 by Domenico Talamonti, who was granted permission to build on this site, above the walls known as "dei Saracini", made up of conglomerates of shards and stones very similar to Roman concrete. This name over the years had led many to think that they were Saracen constructions, but from a more careful study it was thought that they could be part of the first fortification of the people of the disappeared city of Alba. Some studies claim that the people of Alba, having escaped the invasions, retreated to the height of the current castle, building a fortified city. Subsequently, historical events led to the depopulation of the site and therefore in 1145, when the current castle was built by Azzo and Berardo di Gualtiero, the size of the castle was only a small part of the ancient one. Since it was built using the remains of the walls of the old castle, the term "Antica" with which the gate is called would be correct. Although today it is not, wrongly, valued as a monument, it is still interesting in its features: the small loggia that looks towards the town is surmounted by a niche that contained a now faded fresco. The door area is accessed by crossing a series of arches that narrow until the small exit that overlooks a panoramic balcony, where once the road went away towards the countryside to the north of the town. (c) https://www.habitualtourist.com/porta_antica(san_benedetto_alta)

There is little biographical information about the patron saint of S. Benedetto al Tronto. S. Benedetto may have been a soldier, perhaps of Friulian origins, as some historians say, of the imperial army stationed in Cupra, who converted to Christianity during his military service and was martyred on the bridge over the Menocchia stream near the ancient Civita di Cupra. It was October 13, 304, when Diocletian was emperor. After the martyrdom, the local Christians took care of the martyr's burial, building a hidden tomb, almost a catacomb that could be accessed without being seen by the pagans. A tombstone was built on the martyr's tomb, which is still partly preserved today and, after the edict of Constantine, a shrine was built and later a parish church that later became the abbey church. The church has a single nave. In addition to the main altar, there are six other altars, three on the right and three on the left. (c) https://fondoambiente.it/luoghi/chiesa-di-san-benedetto-martire?ldc

The Sentina Nature Reserve, from the mouth of the Tronto River to the north, is a green oasis in which marine ecosystems coexist, such as sand dunes, brackish areas and a remarkable variety of birds. The cycle/pedestrian path runs along a dirt path, with access points to the pristine beach.

Abbey that houses the remains of the city's patron saint, San Benedetto.

There are still large stretches of beach that are freely accessible. Where there are beach bars with deck chairs and parasols, you obviously have to pay for the service. Where we were, all the beach areas were well maintained, clean and free of rubbish.

Beautiful beach promenade, with many restaurants and beach bars. Architecturally separated from the road there is a wide footpath and cycle path. It's fun to stroll along. It's also well lit in the evenings.

Wooden cycle bridge on the "Bike to Coast", a 131 kilometer cycle/pedestrian path along the entire Abruzzo coast.