io Naples. CAPESTRANO. 14. Route. ] 75
a massive square with low round towers, surrounded by a moat.
From this point the best view is obtained of the Gran Sasso and
its ramifications, of the town itself and the mountainous environs.
Between Aquila and the hill of San Lorenzo, June 2nd, 1414,
Braccio Fortebraccio da Montone, the dreaded rival of Sforza, was
conquered and wounded by the united armies of queen Johanna II.
of Naples, Pope Martin V. and the Duke of Milan, commanded
by Jacopo Caldora, in consequence of which he died on June 5th.
About 3 M. to the E. is situated the village of S. Vitlorino on the Aterno,
on the site of the ancient and celebrated Sabine town of Amiternam, where
the historian Sallustius was born. On an eminence still stands an ancient
tower with inscriptions and the figure of a lion, marking the site of the
fortress. At the base of the hill are remnants of buildings, a theatre and
amphitheatre, dating from the imperial period, where relics are frequently
found.
A new road leads from Aquila through the valley of the Aterno, the
wild passes of Monte San Franco, the ravine of Totta, by Senariccia, then
on the 1. bank of the Vomano to (48 M.) Teramo on the Tordino (p. 158).
From Aquila corriere and diligences by Popoli (p. 167) to
Pescara (p. 159), others to Caianiello (p. 8). To Popoli 29 M.;
two-horse carr. 15—201. The road descends the valley of the
Aterno, passing Fossa on the r., traversing a highly cultivated
district, to Civita Reienga, commanded by an ancient chateau,
halting-place of the vetturini. About 6 M. to the E. lies Cape-
slrano, birthplace of the celebrated Franciscan monk Johannes
Capistranus, the undaunted opponent of Hussites and Turks, who
died in 1456 and in 1690 was canonized by Alexander VHI. In
the church of Capestrano is interred Alphonso Piccolomini, Duke
of Amalfi, who in 1498, two years after his marriage with the
beautiful Johanna of Arragon, was assassinated at Solmona by the
Count of Celano.
From Popoli to Naples, see R. 12.
15. From Naples to the Coast of the Adriatic
by Eboli, Potenza, DIelfi, Venosa and Canosa.
The provinces to the S. of Naples are rarely visited by travellers. Not
only is travelling rendered difficult, by the defectiveness of the means of
communication and the indifference of the inns, but these districts are in
themselves comparatively too unattractive to merit a visit from those in
search of the picturesque. The following route traverses the province Basi-
licata, the ancient Lucania, and is 233 M. in length. From Naples to Eboli
Railway in 3 hrs. 40 min.; fares 91. 15 c. 6 1. 15 c, 4 1.60 c. Dilig.
daily from Salerno (office adjoining the prefettura; office at Naples opposite
the post-office) to Potenza by Eboli in 18 hrs., fare 16 1. After having
secured a seat, the traveller may proceed to Eboli by railway, where he
may inspect the town before the arrival of the diligence. Beyond Potenza
local diligences, see below.
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