Ortona province of Chieti Abruzzo Italy
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 remains of this period.
Ortona remained a part of the Roman Empire (i.e., 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.
This is ortona far way view
Ortona Porta Caldari
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.
detalies from the front of church St Thomas
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 Margaret of Parma, daughter of EmperorCharles V and Duchess of Parma. In 1584 Margaret decided to build a great mansion (known as Palazzo Farnese), which was never completed due to her death.
The castle is today an important point in tourism atraction.
Tourism
The town of Ortona is not especially exciting. The castle is worth a brief visit. Unless you want a quiet holiday accommodation with a very low price and enjoy a decent hospitality and a rich assortment of traditional cuisine. You can also appreciate the fresh air of the little beaches and rich aerosols Saraceni. This beach is a blessing as well for both children and ederly. Young people can earn precious moments of peace and rest because children can be allowed to play in their water will warm and very shallow at the shore. Personaly I haved wonderful days here in this summer. However, Ortona is only some 35 kilometres from the Parco Nazionale della Majella with its wild, mountainous landscape and rare wildlife, including wolf, bear, chamois, otter and golden eagle and other than Pescara is probably the best place to base yourself for a visit.
Economy
Port of Ortona
Ortona, marine center of the Adriatic coast, represents a crucial cornerstone of the commercial trade of the Mediterranean basin. Ortona Port's development process includes a number of projects aimed at the commercial needs of the area. Over 1.5 million tons of commodities have been transported through this area Ð detached bulk commodities (e.g. grain, feldspar, chalk, concrete, olive residues and oil products) and palletized commodities, coils, tubes and project cargoes. Ranalli Maritime Agency, prominent company in Ortona area, offers such services as ship and cargo assistance, freight forwarding and customs clearance Ð services of a guaranteed high flexibility and professionalism.
Small boats provide the market with fresh fish provides almost all year round. Fish and seafood can be bought from the market, supermarkets or directly from fishermen in port.
The green gold of Abruzzo: extra virgin olive oil
The oil production in the province of Chieti back at least to the second century AD C. and has always been a vital resource for local people today, with modern productions, we give an oil that, with the presence of aromatic notes, is coupled with substantial dishes such as soups with vegetables, grilled fish and boiled vegetables .
Montepulciano win
Montepulciano certainly is one of the most famous and important red berried grapes of Italy. Mainly common in the region of Central Italy, Montepulciano is mainly identified with Abruzzo, the region in which it is also the most common and cultivated red variety. It is right in this region which is made one of the most renowned wines produced with this grape - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - which in the last recent years, also thanks to the efforts and the good results achieved by producers, was successful in becoming among the most important wines of Italy, known everywhere in the world. Nevertheless, up to some tens of years ago, Montepulciano was considered, and not only in Abruzzo, a grape capable of making “ordinary” wines lacking of interesting qualities according to an organoleptic and enological point of view. As it happened for other grapes, the tenacity of producers, convinced with the grapes of their land was possible to make great wines, as well as the use of quality wine making techniques, also Montepulciano made a miracle and in few years it reached the top of Olympus.