Orte

Orte is a town and comune (municipality) in the province of Viterbo, in the Italian region Latium Lazio, located about 60 kilometres (37 mi) north of Rome and about 24 kilometres (15 mi) east of Viterbo. As of 31 December 2010, it had a population of 9,069. Geography Orte is situated in the Tiber valley on a high tuff cliff, encircled to North and East from a handle of the Tevere river. It is an important road and rail hub. History The Etruscans inhabited the area from the 6th century BC and called it *Hurta, as testified by the findings in a necropolis nearby, now preserved in the Vatican Museums. Orte was theatre of battles between Etruscans and Romans (310 and 283 BC), near the Vadimone lake, in both of which the Romans were victorious. The Romans domination made it the municipality of Horta (also Hortanum). Under the rule of Augustus it received numerous public works. Subsequently, because of its strategic position, Orte was occupied by the Ostrogoths, the Byzantines and the Lombards. In the Middle Ages the city was never seat of a fief, becoming a free comune under a podestà. Events Saint'Egidio Abate's Day and Ottava of Saint'Egidio: from 31 August to the second Sunday in September. A Medieval festival with shows, fairs, conventions, seminaries of study, art exhibitions of art and archery competitions (the "Palio", contented by the archers of the Seven Contrade). Religious procession of Dead Christ: every Friday before Easter. A torchlight procession representing early religions orders ("Confraternite"). Transport Orte railway station, opened in 1865, forms part of the Florence–Rome railway and the Ancona–Orte railway. It is situated in Piazza Giovanni XXIII, in the locality of Orte Scalo, approximately two kilometres southeast of the town centre. References External links Media related to Orte at Wikimedia Commons Orte municipal website Orte.digitalmedia.it Ottovamedievale.it Hortae.it