Francavilla al Mare: what to see and events to attend in summer and beyond; we will take you on a walk from the hills to the sea, with Il Magnolia as your starting and finishing point.
We invite you on this exploratory walk to discover the art and culture that have shaped the history of our town, Francavilla al Mare.
If you are staying at Il Magnolia, you can walk to the old town, passing by the Convento Michetti, which you can recognize by the statue of the painter Francesco Paolo Michetti in front of the stone arches. This place, in addition to being a convent, was an important center of the late 19th-century cultural scene, known as the "Cenacolo Michettiano" (Michetti's Cenacle), a creative workshop where artists and writers, including the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, gathered to discuss and express their talent.
Even today, to highlight the historical importance of the Cenacolo, both the town's museum, MuMi-Museo Michetti, which you will find a little further on, and an annual art and photography exhibition, the Premio Michetti, bear the name "Michetti".
During the month of August, right in the narrow streets you are walking through, the event A cena con gli artisti (Dinner with the Artists) takes place, an immersive experience to relive the atmosphere of the late 19th century, a leap back in time, with people strolling around in pompous historical costumes, period furnishings recreating the style of the era, and music that recreates the very years when Michetti and D'Annunzio met; an authentic and original way to honor the historical culture of Francavilla al Mare.
Keep walking until you reach the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, better known as San Franco, the patron saint of the town. In his honor every year, on August 18th, there are the Fuochi a mare (Fireworks at Sea), a spectacular pyrotechnic display on the beach, which attracts many tourists and residents from neighboring towns.
During your walk, take the time to get to know the town, stop here and there to admire the sea views from above, or from the Belvedere Michetti, located in front of the town hall, behind the MuMi.
Try to spot the ancient medieval towers that survived the bombings of World War II; they are well hidden and not clearly marked, but you can see one of them on Via Porta Ripa, looking upwards.
Descend from the hill passing through the Giardini Centrali (Central Gardens), where you can take a short break at the stone table or sit on the benches among the trees.
In front of you, you can see the railway, which you must cross via the underpass to reach Piazza Sirena with its famous Palazzo Sirena. Walk around it and you will see the Pontile Sirena (Sirena Pier). But wait: before climbing it to admire the waves and the sound of the wind, we recommend getting an ice cream from Professore, the historic Gelateria Tennis Bar located right next to the pier.
At this point, you can go down to the beach and relax or continue exploring the shops of Viale Nettuno, or even continue along Lungomare Kennedy to the Alento River to reach its small harbor, the Marina di Francavilla.
The river marks the boundary between the two poles of the town: by crossing it, you enter the northern area.
If you no longer feel like walking, you could rent a bike and continue with a pleasant ride along the cycle path that runs directly alongside the sea, and arrive in the center of Piazza Adriatico. This entire area is more modern, you will notice it from Piazza Sant’Alfonso and its namesake church; here too you can browse among shops, jewelers, and artisan workshops; and, if you are not yet tired, in a few pedal strokes you can reach the nearby and lively city of Pescara.
Summer is the liveliest time in the town, but in every season you will find special events.
In February, the papier-mâché masters work to create “the floats” of the famous Carnevale D’Abruzzo, depicting local or international current events characters and led by Re Patanello, a typical Francavilla mask, inspired by a real-life character who embodies the festive and playful spirit that transforms the town into a riot of colors and music.
This parade is then repeated during the summer season and is enjoyed by adults and children who want to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere, transforming Viale Nettuno and Piazza Sirena into a colorful cloud of confetti.
In recent years, an event that attracts young people is the Shock Wave Festival. This is a series of concerts on the beach along Via Francesco Paolo Tosti, which takes place during the month of July (generally the third week of the month).
The performers are almost always artists loved by young people, because the goal is precisely to create an open-air nightclub on the beach, and it is no coincidence that the event's slogan is: "The Festival with the sea inside".
But this is not the only musical event, because there is also another historic one, diametrically opposed, which has been going on for decades, the Blubar Summer Festival, and which was created to celebrate the music of the past (in particular that of the 60s and 70s) and all pop-rock culture through nationally and internationally renowned artists.
Francavilla al Mare has an ancient rural tradition, and a product for which it is renowned are strawberries, grown in the countryside near Il Magnolia. Our strawberries have a rich flavor and a vibrant color that only the open countryside sun can provide.
If you visit us during the month of May, you can taste them on our cheesecake and visit the Fiori e fragole (Flowers and Strawberries) event that celebrates their uniqueness in Piazza Adriatico and Piazza Sant’Alfonso.
At the end of your day, after stopping at the Belvedere Setteventi, which is just 100 meters from Il Magnolia, you can let our team pamper you with a delicious dinner; you can choose to enjoy a pizza made with seasonal products or try arrosticini and tell us about your day.