Stage 9
Avezzano > Napoli
Avezzano
Stronger than the earthquakes and wars that repeatedly devastated it. Avezzano, with its historical and cultural heritage, is a town worth discovering without haste. The resilience of this place is first and foremost represented by the mighty Orsini Castle, reborn to new life after having been rebuilt and enlarged several times, and now housing the Modern Art Gallery as well as events and shows. The grandiose Cathedral of St. Bartholomew the Apostle - also known as the Cathedral of the Marsi - has also undergone various misfortunes, but today it stands out in all its beauty in Piazza Risorgimento. The tunnels of Emperor Claudius tell an ancient story, a remarkable testimony to the engineering genius of the Romans. Built between 41 and 52 A.D. to regulate the level of Lake Fucino and protect the nearby villages from floods, they can still be visited today.
Going to Naples
The race route then touches on fascinating locations such as Balsorano Vecchio - with its medieval Piccolomini Castle, which enchanted, among many others, Alexander Dumas' son, who was particularly impressed by the beauty of this fortress - as well as Sora e Posta Fibreno, an ancient village not far from the romantic Lake Posta Fibreno. The mighty profile of the Abbey of Montecassino towers over the top of a nearby hill. We reach the Campania coastline around the town of Cellole, where the long sea-view sprint towards the finish line begins. Before arriving, however, let's take a break and admire the delightful Lake Patria, one of the most beautiful coastal reservoirs in Italy, nearby which is the archaeological site with the remains of the Roman city of Liternum. There are also plenty of opportunities to stop off in the Monte di Procida promontory area. If the fantastic views of the Golf of Naples are not enough, do not miss the Archaeological Park of Cuma, the oldest Greek colony in continental Italy (8th century B.C.) located on the high ground of the ancient Acropolis, or the impressive Casina Vanvitelliana in front of Bacoli.
Naples and Coppi
Naples celebrates the arrival of the Giro by honouring the memory of Fausto Coppi: the Pink Caravan will stop in Caivano, where Faustino Coppi, the Campionissimo's son, will meet with the public and then receive a commemorative plaque in the presence of CONI president Giovanni Malagò. Additionally, the “Amici di Fausto Coppi” (Friends of Fausto Coppi) Association is organising a cycle-bike ride passing through the four towns most linked to the memory of Coppi's achievements (Caserta, Naples, Somma Vesuviana and Agerola), each of which is home to a symbol dedicated to this legendary champion.
Once the stage is over, enjoy a discovery tour of the city. If time is short, however, targets must be selected. In no particular order, visitors might enjoy Piazza Plebiscito and the Royal Palace, the Cathedral of San Gennaro, Castel dell'Ovo, the Maschio Angioino, the Museum and Real Bosco of Capodimonte and the Monastery of Santa Chiara. Just to get started.Also not to be missed is the thousand-year-old Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria del Monte, which houses one of the richest collections of ex-votos in Europe, and, in Lizzano, the 18th-century Villa Silvia-Carducci, inside which is Musicalia, the only museum in the country entirely dedicated to mechanical music.
