Orsogna, in the province of Chieti, is located on a verdant hill at about 440 m. above sea level. It is the ideal place for any tourist liking either mountain excursions or sunny beaches, thanks to it’s propitious position: half-way between the adriatic coast and the Majella massif, it permits the visitor to easily reach the main areas of the Abruzzo provinces. During the Second World War Orsogna was almost completely destroyed. In recognition of the loss and damage suffered by the Orsogna population, the President of the Republic Ciampi, recently conferred Orsogna with the “Silver Medal for Civic Valour”. The memory of the 2nd World War is still vivid. On the 6th march 2004 during the excavations of a building site in the urban centre of Orsogna a bomb of extreme dimension (1.30 m high and weighing approx 500 kgs) was un-earthed.
Amongst the testimony of Orsogna’s history that survived the devastion of the war is the noteworthy church of Saint Nicholas of Bari with its adjoining Bell Tower. This complex dates back to the 18th century. Behind the church there is a strategic panoramic point where it is possible to admire the Fraja Valley and the imposing Majella Massif. Not too far away from the storical centre, there is the “Tower of Bene”, a typical exemple of a fortified rural structure, built between the XIV and the XVII centuries. It’s function was to control the surrounding territory against enemy attacks. In the 18th century it became an important cultural centre animated by people of the calibre of Francesco Paolo Tosti and Camillo De Nardis. Completely restored in 1995 it is now the site for conventions and exhibitions. Not far from the “Tower of Bene” Orsogna boasts an extraordinary walk-way completely lined by majestic Pine-trees. A pleasant place for stroll and out-door activities for Orsogna’s citizens and tourists. The Saint Berardino Chapel is an antique testimony of the rural tracks, which crossed Orsogna from the XIX century and the first half of the XX century. Completely restored in 1996 it is a place of prayer and worship. The adjacent “Remembrance park”, established in 1926, is a military cemetery in which are remembered the victims of the 1st world war and of the Spanish war. Here are buried the remains of two of Orsogna’s illustrious personalities: Raffaele Paolucci (eminent doctor; honoured with a gold medal for military valour) and Felice Mola.