Penne (Italy)

Penne (Italian pronunciation: [ˈpenne], locally [ˈpɛnne]; Pònne in the local dialect) is an Italian town in the province of Pescara, in the Abruzzo region, in mid-southern Italy. According to the last census in 2014 the population was 12,451. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy"). Penne is today among the most important towns in the Vestini area, sitting in the hills between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea and opening the way for the National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga through the Regional Natural Reserve "Lake of Penne". The closest airport is Abruzzo Airport, which is 19 mile drive. The closest beach is Montesilvano, which is 17.5 miles drive. The closest train station is the Pescara Centrale railway station, which is 20.5 miles away. The main medical center is Presidio Ospedaliero Penne. The widespread use of bricks in every historical building and paving gave Penne the appellation of "Città del mattone", i.e. the "Town of Bricks". In 2006, Penne was awarded the Silver Medal of Civic Merit for events suffered during World War II. The economy of Penne is driven mainly by tourism, agriculture, the regional hospital and Brioni, the Italian fashion house whose suits are still hand sewn by Pennese women. In November 2017, Penne was chosen as the starting point for Stage 10 of the 2018 Giro d'Italia. Cyclists left from Penne and climbed to Rigopiano and then beyond to Umbria.