Ocre is a comune (municipality) and town in the province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of southern Italy.

Ocre
Comune di Ocre
Location of Ocre
Map
Ocre is located in Italy
Ocre
Ocre
Location of Ocre in Italy
Ocre is located in Abruzzo
Ocre
Ocre
Ocre (Abruzzo)
Coordinates: 42°17′13″N 13°28′34″E / 42.28694°N 13.47611°E / 42.28694; 13.47611
CountryItaly
RegionAbruzzo
ProvinceL'Aquila (AQ)
FrazioniCavalletto, San Felice, San Martino, San Panfilo d'Ocre (sede comunale), Valle
Government
 • MayorFausto Fracassi
Area
 • Total
23.56 km2 (9.10 sq mi)
Elevation
850 m (2,790 ft)
Population
 (31 December 2010)[2]
 • Total
1,116
 • Density47/km2 (120/sq mi)
DemonymOcrensi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
67040
Dialing code0862
Saint day28 April
WebsiteOfficial website

Description and history

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Its approximate 1,000 inhabitants reside in several small villages scattered across the mid-to–low L’Aquila basin, about 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast 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 Regional Park.

 
A house damaged by the earthquake of 2009

In the Middle Ages, 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. At that time, the barons of Ocre also controlled the neighboring municipalities.

Ocre's attractions include important historical landmarks as well as festivals like those of baked bread and chestnut.

During the earthquake that hit L'Aquila on April 6, 2009, the town Ocre 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.

Geography

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The territory of the municipality is dominated by the Mount Ocre–Mount Cagno mountain range (2,204 m (7,231 ft)), 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.

People

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References

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  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat)