Of uncertain origins, this town has had a fundamental role in the history of the southern Italy. The Civitella huge fortress, built around 1000, is still nowadays an important historical witness. The fortress was besieged and conquered several times, and throughout the centuries it has had many structural changes. The fortress lived its most splendid period under the aragonese-spanish government. In 1557 it was besieged by Francesco di Lorena Earl of Guisa, in 1798 it surrendered to the French . In 1802 there was a new siege, and the fortress surrendered after a long defence by the dutch captain Matteo Wade. On march the 20th, 1861, the fortress was bombed and conquered by the troups from Piemonte.

Built on the western side of a steep hill in the Val Vibrata, Civ. del T. is a touristic resort mostly known for its fortress. Thanks to its restauration, every year the place is visited by thousands of tourists attracted by the splendid panorama and by the fairy atmosphere that surrounds the fortress. Civitella del Tronto is rich in craftmanship laboratories, and during the summer the town offers manifestation of every kind, among which ithere are the characteristic representations in ancient costumes.

The fortress
The fortress is a large structure built up in different ages and on different levels joined by huge stairs dating back to the XIX century. On the higher part there are the Governor Palace and the S. Giacomo Church. Remains of the medieval castle still exist.

S. Francesco Church
The S. Francesco Church was built in the XIV century. Rich in works of art, among which a wooden choir from the XV century, it presents a fine carved rose-window on its front.

S. Lorenzo church
The church, restructured several times, nowadays appears like a typical late 1500 church, with decorations dating back to the end of 1700. Inside there is the S.Ubaldo baroque wooden statue.
Among the pictures, a Visit and a Madonna del Rosario from the second half of the XVI century.

Santa Maria of the Angels church
Dating back to the end of the XV and the beginning of the XVI century, the church, even called "Church of the Broom", presents only one room. The main door has fine travertine cornices. Inside it, on its left side, it is possible to admire what remains of an elegant polichrome decoration from the Reinassance.