Ortona (Abruzzese: Urtónë; Ancient Greek: Ὄρτων, romanized: Órtōn) is a coastal town and municipality of the Province of Chieti in the Italian region of Abruzzo, with some 23,000 inhabitants.

In the first half of the 15th century its walls were built, and during this period Ortona fought with the nearby town of Lanciano in a fierce war that ended in 1427.

In 1584 Margaret decided to build a great mansion (known as Palazzo Farnese), which was never completed due to her death.

The defensive Gustav Line was established by the Germans at Ortona (extending towards Cassino on the opposite side of Italy).

The struggle between the German paratroopers and the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade attracted the attention of the international press, leading the Battle of Ortona to be known as "Little Stalingrad."