Ocre

Ocre is a comune (municipality) and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Its 1063 inhabitants live in several small villages scattered across the mid-to–low L’Aquila basin, about 15 kilometers south east of Abruzzo’s regional capital. The town hall offices are located in San Panfilo d’Ocre. It belongs to the Amiternina mountain community and part of the territory lies in the Sirente Velino nature reserve. Ocre saw its best days in the Middle Ages when the fortified village of San Panfilo controlled the lower L'Aquila valley and the monasteries of the Holy Spirit and Sant Angelo attracted many pilgrims and the faithful. At that time, the barons of Ocre also controlled the neighboring municipalities. Nowadays Orcre’s attractions include important historical landmarks as well as festivals like those of baked bread and chestnut. Geography The territory of the municipality is dominated by the Mount Ocre - Mount Cagno mountain range (2204m), with the inhabited part set on its northeastern slopes and crossed by a Regional Road SR5 that rises from L'Aquila to the Rocche Plateau. Earthquake of 2009 Following the devastating earthquake that hit L'Aquila on April 6 2009, the town of Ocre also suffered substantial damage. The old castle of Ocre was almost completely ruined, several buildings collapsed and a number of houses in the old town remain uninhabitable. Changing Demographics Famous People Thomas d’ Ocre, Cardinal, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church in 1294, secretary to Celestino V, beatified Connie Sellecca American acress with Italian origins in the Ocre area References