a town of Italy in the kingdom of Naples in the Farther Abruzzo. It is built on an almost imperceptible declivity, one mile from the lake of Celano, to which an avenue of poplars leads from the baronial castle. This edifice stands at a little distance from the town, is square, and flanked with towers. It was erected by Virginio Orsini, to which family this and many other great lordships belonged before they were wrested from them in times of civil war and transferred to the Colonnas. Avezzano was founded in 860, and contains 2700 inhabitants, and two religious communities within its walls, which are indeed in a ruinous condition. The houses are in general mean; but there are some large buildings and opulent families of the class of gentlemen, not possessed of fees held in capite.