km from Teramo. Climate Penne benefits from the moderating effects of the nearby Adriatic sea (only 20 km away from the town; as the crow flies) but at the same time its weather is influenced by the Gran Sasso mountain chain. According to the climatic data collected during the period 1961-1990, the average temperature of the coldest month, i.e. January, is +5,6 °C where the minimals are about 2-3 °C while the maximals about 9-11 °C; in the hottest month, August, the average temperature is +24,7 °C where the minimals are about 19 °C, while the maximals 30 °C. The climate is therefore characterized by hot summers and rather mild winters, where the annual thermal excursion is anyway lower than 21 °C like in the coast. However, in winter snow and frosts might happen when cold currents from the Balkans or the northern Europe irrupt on the Adriatic coast. During these episodes, minimal temperatures can fall down to -5 °C. Precipitation levels are on average about 845 mm per year according to the climatic data collected during the period 1951 - 2009 and are generally higher than the ones observed in other hillside cities in the sea-side of Abruzzo (around 600–700 mm per year). The climate in Penne can be therefore considered as Mediterranean due to the beneficial influence of the Adriatic sea on the temperatures. However, from a pluviometric stand-point, the town's weather sits in the borderline in between a subtropical humid and mediterranean weather. In summertime, precipitation is uncommon and mainly occurs in the form of thunderstorms. Main sights The main characteristic of the old town is its streets and houses are built in bricks, so in the past Penne was known as "the small Siena". Penne's churches include the 12th-century church of Santa Maria in Colleromano, and the Duomo, which now houses the Diocese Museum including a crypt dating from the 8th century. Other churches include Sant'Agostino (with a historical bell-tower), San Giovanni Battista, San Giovanni Evangelista, Annunziata, Madonna del Carmine, San Nicola, San Domenico. Notable religious structures Duomo (Cathedral) of Penne, also known as Chiesa di San Massimo (Church of Saint Massimo). A concathedral of Pescara-Penne archdiocese, it was built after St Maxiums of Aveia on a 10th-century Crypt. Probably the Crypt was erected on an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Vesta. The cathedral was heavily damaged during aerial bombardment in 1944 and was restored