On the Adriatic coast, astride the River Pescara which reaches the sea here, is the provincial capital of Pescara (6m/20ft; pop. 132,000). The town was badly damaged during the Second World War but has been rebuilt on an impressive scale. In Piazza Italia, on the left bank of the river, is the imposing Palazzo del Governo. On the other side of
the river, stands the Tempio della Conciliazione, built 1935-38 to commemorate the Lateran treaties. On the Corso Manthonè is the house where the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio (1863-1938) was born; inside (open to visitors) there are many relics. In the Museo Ittico (Via Paolucci), close to the Porto Canale, can be seen the skeleton of a sperm whale.