as a watch tower for Turkish invaders. Today the tower houses a marine biology station for the central Adriatic area Fashionable villas of the late 19th to early 20th centuries after the railroad was developed Culture Fosso Concio, which was known as "Concio della Liquirizia" (from the word "acconciare" which means prepare in Abruzzese dialect) because it was here where the roots of the plant, which grew wild and copiously along the hillsides of the Piomba and the Vomano Rivers, were harvested gives rise to its licorice manufacturing industry - known throughout Italy and Europe - with Saila Liquirizia (now part of LEAF Italia spa) and products of Aurelio Menozzi & De Rosa Company. Licorice root has been popular in the Abruzzo region for centuries. Twin towns Memmingen, Germany References See also Italy Cities and towns in Abruzzo