9th Circuito Di Avezzano 2021
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"A weekend full of elegance and passion only for "open cars" like spiders, race cars (monoplace-biplace), barchettas, roadsters & convertibles!"
Abruzzo, treasure chest
green of Italy!
Theater of the Avezzano Circuit
Land of parks and woods, of unspoiled nature, of authentic villages. To be discovered and explored, reliving the emotions of yesteryear aboard uncovered cars, along about 190 kilometers of free roads towards cut or high horizons.
History, culture, tradition and great hospitality, told by a high level food and wine.
A dance of scents, flavors, vibrations to experience the enchantment of a wonderful land together.
Three days of history, art, nature and ancient engines!
A unique experience to discover the soul of a special Region.
A crescendo of emotions that will lead you, day after day, to enter into confidence with a wonderful and hospitable region that will slowly reveal itself, until it explodes in a great thrilling finale: the city circuit at night!
Friday 02 July
The ancient Via Tiburtina Valeria
Via Tiburtina Valeria arose as an ancient transhumance route between the central Apennines and the Tiber valley, and constituted the main route of penetration into the territory of the Equi by the Romans, who founded the colonies of Carsoli and Alba Fucens in 304- 303 BC
We will retrace the route that connected Rome to Pescara with our vintage cars. An artery arranged and paved by the consul Marco Valerio Massimo Potito around 286 BC, maintaining the name of via Tiburtina from Rome to Tibur and assuming that of via Valeria, from the name of its builder, up to Corfinium, after crossing the Marsica.
The 9th Avezzano circuit will start from Alba Fucens with the possibility for participants to visit the ruins of the important Roman city.
Alba Fucens was founded by Rome as a colony under Latin law in 304 BC, in the territory of the Equi, close to that occupied by the Marsi, in a strategic geographical position. It developed on a hill just north of via Tiburtina Valeria. Initially it was populated by 6000 settlers who built, in the years immediately following their settlement, a first wall still visible. It was later transformed into a place to confine important state prisoners, such as Siface king of Numidia, Perseus king of Macedon.
Its prosperity, in the imperial period, is testified by the inscriptions found. Among these, there is one of particular importance relating to the fate of the nearby Fucino riverbed, which emerged following the first drying up of the lake carried out in the first century by the will of the Emperor Claudius.
Aielli and the wonders of Borgo Universo
Aielli has become part of the authentic villages of Italy and is located in the heart of the Marsica at 1021 meters above sea level. It is undoubtedly one of the highest villages in the Fucense basin, and from the top of its cylindrical tower you can see the entire plain surrounded by the mountains of the regional natural parks and the Abruzzo National Park, with suggestive views especially towards the mountains of the Sirente and the Serra di Celano, mountains overlooking the historic center. The ancient town lies on a limestone rocky spur and is surrounded, both to the east and to the west, by two streams. Its dominant and strategic position made it
in Roman and medieval times a particularly suitable place for the defense of the territory and the observation of communication routes. The medieval tower was built in 1356 by Ruggero II, count of the Marsi. It became the seat of an astronomical observatory in 2002 and has been hosting the Museum of the Moon since 2019. It is also known as the "Tower of the Stars". The tower houses the astronomical museum dedicated to the Moon. Aielli is famous for its Murals, created by street art artists from all over the world who have revitalized the ancient village, transforming it into a tourist attraction known in Italy and abroad.
Saturday 03 July
Entrance door of the Via Tiburtina Valeria in Abruzzo
Saturday 3 July departure from Avezzano and arrival in Oricola, the gateway to Via Tiburtina Valeria in Abruzzo
Situated in a dominant position on the Cavaliere plain at an altitude of 810 meters above sea level, Oricola marks the geographical border between the Marsican Abruzzo and the upper Aniene valley, in Lazio. The ancient urban core is dominated by the fortress built in the 9th century at the behest of the Counts of the Marsi, who wanted a square fortress, with mighty walls, bastions and observation points in the four towers. The castle was built, in fact, to defend the inhabitants of the place from the Saracen and Hungarian invasions that characterized the Middle Ages for a long time.
The charm of Tagliacozzo
The old route of the ancient Roman artery
One of the most evocative roads in Abruzzo, runs along the Colli di Monte Bove and crosses the small village of Roccacerro, 5 kilometers from the capital Tagliacozzo, which extends over a mountain ridge at 1138 meters above sea level, dominated in the highest part by the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli with a view of the Monte Bove pass and the Marsia.
Tagliacozzo is a spell, a "magical city" in the heart of the Apennines. Its entire history can be experienced through its places. The buildings, the churches, the alleys, the ancient streets constitute a concentration of traditions and typicality. In 1268 it was the scene of the famous Battle of Tagliacozzo, between Corradino di Svevia and Carlo d’Angiò; it marked the fate of Europe in favor of the Angevins over the Swabians, still favoring the temporal power of the Pope for centuries.
It was won with a stratagem devised by Alardo di Valery who vanquished the opposing troops, now sure of victory and no longer defended, arriving behind them secretly. Dante remembers this battle in the XXVIII canto of Hell.
The city circuit at night
The historic center of Avezzano transforms itself for one night and becomes the stage for a unique event. The moment most awaited by the participants and the population: the city circuit.
Fifteen thousand people watch the parade of 100 vintage cars built from 1908 to 1970, all uncovered, whizzing along a track that winds over two kilometers of roads closed to traffic.
The presence of sports and entertainment personalities stimulates the curiosity of the spectators who, already several hours before departure, crowd behind the barriers waiting for the concert of engine roars.
The audience is that of great occasions, the traders leave the windows lit as a sign of collaboration, the drivers stroll amiably in the city center crowding the bars for an aperitif.
The large Piazza Risorgimento is full of cars, expertly arranged to be admired.
The adrenaline mounts, the engines heat up.
Classics
Motion
Details
Faces, ceremony & other
From my experiences box: The international crew Gianluigi Vignola (IT) & Vasileios Papaidis (GRE), from +80 participants on the Circuito we take the 17th position from 79 crews who get points on the race, thanks to all, it was an amazing experience!
Fotos by Bianchi Fotografi
Really honored, thanks for the Prize, Felice Graziani, organizators, sponsors, staff, participants and friends beeng there. God bless you all!!! The amazing classic next to me is an Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 with a rare Touring body, at the time the most of 197 cars ever built had the manufacturer body made under collaboration with Milanese carrozzeria Castagna. The car belongs to the R.I.A.R. (Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo). See you in the next edition!
