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Elevation: 200 meters
Population: 3200
Zip code : 66014

Crecchio is located by the river Arielli. Olive groves and vineyards are very popular here.

crecchio.jpgHISTORICAL FACTS
Some archaeological findings were ceramics, and it seems that they go back to the IX century before Christ. Another piece of archeological interest was found and it belong to the Italic descent, going back to the 6th century before Christ.
During the Roman Empire, this town’s name was Ocriculum. The Romans decided that this town had to be an agriculture village. Grains, Olive oil and wine were the major crop. As a matter of fact, many old mills were found. The land of Crecchio was used to grow crops and the harbour of Ortona was used for shipping them out. A big exporting business was created.
During the greek-gothic wars, all the small hilltop towns had to be fortified, therefore called “Oppida”.  During these times, it takes the name Oppidum Ocrecchii. At the beginning of the second millennium, in 1059, the town had a fortified wall built around it and there were 2 main city doors. By that time, the name of the town switched to Ocrecle. In the 12th centrury, the olive tower was built (you can now visit it). It was a lookout tower, in order to spot out the Saracens and the Hungarian pirates. In 1406, the feudal town was owned by the Orsini family of Lanciano, then sold for financial reasons to San Giovanni Bonanni of l’Aquila and in 1633 went to Andrea Brancaccio of Naples. Then the dukes of Bovino, Taormina and finally the barons of Crecchio. Until the second world war.

WHAT TO SEE
-Museo dell’Abruzzo Bizantino e Alto mediovale. A museo that has exposed pieces from the Bizantine times and Medieval times. A very cultural place to see that has managed to put some historical evidence to the Abruzzo map.
-Beautiful Castle Ducale di Crecchio

FESTIVITIES
17th January: San Antonio Abate
19th March: Festa San Giuseppe a Villa Tucci
1st May: Bycicle tour
13th June: San Antonio da Padova
4-7th August: Pellegrinaggio dal Santuario di Saint Elisabetta to Saint Bartolomew


TOWNS NEARBY
Tollo
Poggiofiorito
Lanciano   
Ortona

 
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