Ortona
Few places in Abruzzo have a history as closely tied to the Second World War as Ortona. The Adriatic port was the scene of fierce fighting between Canadian and German forces in December 1943, remembered as the Battle of Ortona. Its waterfront looks east over the Adriatic Sea, while the town stands on a promontory above the coast. The remains of the Aragonese Castle occupy the seaward edge of the historic centre; the fortress was built in the 15th century and badly damaged during the war. Ortona also preserves the Basilica of San Tommaso Apostolo, a major local place of worship associated with relics of the apostle Thomas. Marina quays and breakwaters add a maritime counterpoint to the old town above.
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Ortona stands between the Adriatic Sea and Abruzzo’s rolling inland hills, a position that has long tied its development to the port and coast. The old town occupies a high promontory, where the Aragonese Castle overlooks the shoreline and the Cathedral of St Thomas preserves relics traditionally associated with the apostle. Ortona is also remembered for the Battle of Ortona in December 1943, a destructive Second World War confrontation involving Canadian and German forces. South of town, the Costa dei Trabocchi is marked by trabocchi, timber fishing machines set over the water. Browse other webcams across Abruzzo to place Ortona’s coast in a wider geographic context.
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Abruzzo occupies a mountainous stretch between the central Apennines and the Adriatic Sea in Italy. Much of its identity comes from protected uplands: the Gran Sasso massif includes Corno Grande, at 2,912 metres the highest summit of the Apennines, while the Majella rises farther south. Forest, high pastures and valleys descend towards a long Adriatic coast. L’Aquila, the regional capital, retains its medieval core, and Abruzzo’s food culture is noted for saffron from the Navelli plateau and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine. See how Abruzzo fits into the wider central Italian landscape by browsing webcams nearby.
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Among the countries of southern Europe, Italy stands out for its Mediterranean coastline and cities marked by the legacy of ancient Rome. The Alps form its northern frontier, while the Apennines run down the peninsula and the Po crosses the broad plain of the north. Rome’s Colosseum and Roman Forum recall the ancient empire; Florence is closely associated with the Renaissance, and Venice is built across a lagoon on the Adriatic. Food changes markedly between regions, from olive-oil cooking in the south to rice dishes in the Po Valley. Sicily and Sardinia add distinct island identities to a country whose regions retain strong local character. Explore nearby webcam locations that provide complementary perspectives on Italy’s coasts, cities and mountains.
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