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Ortona is a city with
cultural and historical roots that harmonize wonderfully well with its
natural beauty and its sea. Ortona's ancient maritime trading traditions
made this small, yet glorious portside town one of the more flourishing in
the past. The success of this commercial tradition continues to this day
due to its gully working dockyards and this fishing fleet. This, however,
is not the sole business activity that city prefers to concentrate on.
The city's beaches-Lidi del Saraceno and Riccio give the city the
opportunity to become one of the more important tourist destinations in
the province. Its sandy beaches are provided with all the necessary
services for a most comfortable stay. For those lovers of scuba diving and
fishing the beaches of "Riccetta", "Punta Ferruccio", Ripari country" e
"Acquabella" are amongst the best for these activities because of their
suitable pebbly depths. From Ortona it's easy to get to the nearby islands
of "Tremiti". These islands are reknowed for their crystal clear waters,
and are extremely popular destinations for the thousands of tourists that
visit this area.
One of the city's traditional festival occurs on the 20th of January where
in the middle of the festivities celebrating the feast of San Sebastiano,
the townfolk set fire to a papier mache steam boat full of firecrakers. On
the first Sunday of May, the festival of "Il Perdono" (the forgiveness) is
celebrated in honour of the apostle San Tommaso. This event is perhaps the
most important one of the year beginning on the Saturday with the
historical procession of the "Chiavi d'Argento" (Silver Keys). In
September, however, the return of the sacred remains of the Saint is
reenacted by townfolks in costume according to historical edicts of the
City. Then in August, the city echoes with popular music of "Maggiolata"
which is one of the favourite traditions in Ortona.
Seafood is by far the most typical of the gastronomic delights the city
boasts, even though it can be cooked in many different ways. It is still
considered the most popular dish when cooked in the traditional
"brodetto". "Nevole", a sweet, is a most unique dessert, difficult to
reproduce. According to its ancient traditions, possibly the ruling Aragon
dinasty, it was considered to be a very simple and thryfty confection. The
tourist industry in Ortona offers not only sea and sun but is also reach
in culture and traditions. For exemple you can visit the Canadian Cemetary
which is a memorial to the tragic events of the Second World War.
There is also the Farnese Palace to visit. Thi palace is an austere symbol
of the city's wealth. It was built as the residence of Margherita of
Austria who was the wife of Ottavio Farnese. Today this building houses
the Cascella Art Gallery which contains many of the paintings of Basilio
and Michele Cascella. It also houses the local museum. The fifteenth
Century "Palazzo Corvo" houses the National Tosti Museum, dedicated to
Tosti, a famous musician. In this building are housed his documents and
manuscripts and it is headquarters of many cultural activities which
include seminars, publications of cultural material regarding Tosti's
written and recorded works.
He was one of the most famous locals who became a very reknowed italian
musician in England. He was appointed the artistic Director of both public
and private concerts performed before Queen Victoria and members of the
Royal Court.
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