Anywhere Italy
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Abruzzo · Chieti

Ortona

A working Adriatic port under an Aragonese castle, where the cathedral holds relics venerated as those of the apostle Thomas and the ridge above the harbour was fought over street by street in December 1943.

Known for

  • THE PORT

    One of the working fishing and commercial harbours of the Abruzzo coast, not a marina built for visitors.

  • THE 1943 BATTLE

    Eight days of street fighting in December 1943 between Canadian and German forces. The Moro River Canadian War Cemetery lies just outside the town.

  • MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO

    The hills behind the town are planted with the region's red grape, and the Colline Teatine sit immediately inland.

Why come

Ortona is the largest town on the Costa dei Trabocchi and the least postcard-like. It has a real harbour with real boats in it, a castle on the cliff edge that the sea is slowly taking back, and a cathedral that has drawn pilgrims since 1258, when the relics were carried here from Chios. It is also a war town.

Over eight days at the end of 1943 Canadian and German troops fought through these streets house by house, and the town that stands now was largely rebuilt afterwards. The Moro River cemetery on the edge of town is where most visitors end up going quiet.

The Sunday letter

We haven’t written Ortona’s letter yet.

One town every Sunday, with the photo, the food, the festa. Be there when this one comes up. Free, by Peter & Sophia from Pietrasanta.

Ortona — photo 1
Ortona — photo 2

What to see

  • Castello Aragonese

    The fifteenth-century castle on the cliff above the port, open to walk around. Coastal erosion has taken part of it, which is visible from the seaward side.

  • Basilica di San Tommaso Apostolo

    The cathedral holding relics venerated as those of the apostle Thomas, brought from the island of Chios in 1258.

  • Passeggiata Orientale

    The belvedere walk along the cliff edge, looking north up the coast toward Pescara.

  • Via Verde della Costa dei Trabocchi

    The coastal cycle path built on the old Adriatic railway line, which runs through the town.

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Living here

  • Population 22,209

Common questions

What is Ortona known for?
Ortona is a working Adriatic port under an Aragonese castle, where the cathedral holds relics venerated as those of the apostle Thomas and the ridge above the harbour was fought over street by street in December 1943.
Where is Ortona?
Ortona is a comune in the province of Chieti, in Abruzzo, at 72 meters above sea level.
When is the best time to visit Ortona?
Best in May–Sep. July is the warmest month, averaging 30 degrees, and November the wettest, with about 12 rain days.
Which other towns are like Ortona?
Giulianova, Roseto degli Abruzzi and Pineto.
How many people live in Ortona?
22,209 at the 2023 count.
Tags & datadesignations · numbers · sources

The numbers

  • Elevation: 72 m
  • Population: 22,209

These figures were compiled from public directories: ISTAT, OpenStreetMap and Wikidata, and from the official listings of the guides named on this page. Town details change; verify with official sources before you travel.

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