Ocre Castle, @Photograph by SSan,©LifeinAbruzzo Images

Termocrìs is Old Greek for rugged, from which the ruined Abruzzo town & Castle of Ocre derives its name. It’s a perfectly apt description of this ruined village and castle, perched 933 masl looking down into the Aterno Valley with inspiring views down into the Parco Naturale Regionale del Sirente-Velino.

Although you cannot get inside the walls of the castle and visit the remains of the 7 towers (as yet unrestored), walking around its perfectly preserved limestone walled triangular perimeter (470m in total) is part of the pleasure, whilst weaving in & out of the surrounding pine woods.

By the very fact that it has been cruelly exposed to the elements, don’t expect to see anyone apart from perhaps a local taking their lucky dog for a walk; it is a place where the wind adds a subtle whistle to an otherwise eerie silence…

The castle was first mentioned by Pope Alexander III in 1178, but badly burnt in 1280. In 1424 it was rebuilt by Andrea Fortebraccio, who in the C15th came the closest to creating a state for central Italy until the time of Garibaldi.  If you are a fan of legendary perspective artist Paolo Uccello you’ll be able to recognise the name of Fortebraccio as he is one of the key characters portrayed in Uccello’s “Battle of San Romano.

Author: Sam Dunham

Sam is a very lucky midlife 'mamma' to A who is 12 and juggles her work as a self-employed freelance SEO food and travel copywriter and EFL teacher. She is the founder of the Life In Abruzzo Cultural Association, co-founder of Let's Blog Abruzzo. she is the founder of the 'English in the Woods' initiative, teaching English outdoors in a forest style school.