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.

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. During the late 9th to early 10th century, it was, along with much of central Italy, a stronghold of, or threatened by the Saracens.