Everything about Ortona totally explained
Ortona is a coastal town and
municipality of the
Province of Chieti in the
Italian region of
Abruzzo, with some 23,000 inhabitants.
Ortona was the site of fierce fighting between German and Canadian forces during the
Italian campaign in
World War II. The ferocity of the battle led it to be known as the "
Little Stalingrad" (See
Battle of Ortona).
History
The origins of Ortona are uncertain. Presumably, it was first inhabited by the
Frentani, an
Italic population. In
2005, during works near the Castle, a
Bronze Age settlement was discovered, and the Roman town largely coincided with this first settlement. Some sections of paved roads and urban walls, as well as some archaeological findings are the only remnains of this period. Ortona remained a part of the
Roman Empire (for example, the
Byzantine Empire) for several centuries, before it was annexed by the Kingdom of the
Lombards. In
803 the
Franks incorporated Ortona into the county of
Chieti. From that date on, the town remained tied to Chieti and its territory.
In
1258 the relics of
St. Thomas were brought to Ortona from the Greek island of
Chios. In the first half of the
15th century its walls were built, and during this period Ortona fought with the nearby town of
Lanciano in a fierce war that ended in
1427. On
June 30,
1447, ships from
Venice destroyed the port of Ortona; consequently the
King of Sicily at that time commissioned the construction of a Castle to dominate the renovated port. In
1582 the town was acquired by Marguerite of Austria, daughter of Emperor
Charles V and Duchess of
Parma. In
1584 Marguerite decided to build a great mansion (known as Palazzo Farnese), which was never completed due to her death.
After the establishment of the
Kingdom of Italy in
1860, Ortona became one of the first sea resorts on the
Adriatic sea. During
World War II, on
September 9,
1943 the royal family of the
House of Savoy left
Nazi occupied Italy from the port of Ortona. The defensive
Gustav Line was established by the Germans at Ortona (extending towards
Cassino on the opposite side of Italy). The strategic importance of Ortona within the German defences led to fierce fighting in and around the town between German and Canadian troops during the
Battle of Ortona.
Main sights
Ortona is home of several pleasant beaches and one historical museums based on the battle of Ortona. The
Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo isn't far also.
Culture
The composer Sir
Francesco Paolo Tosti was born in Ortona, as were members of the
Cascella family of artists.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Ortona'.
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