History & Lanciano

With a friendly and heritage-conscious citizenry, Lanciano has carefully preserved many artifacts and architectural elements from all the eras of its long history. Existing as Anxanum in Roman times, Lanciano became a trading center and fair in the Medieval and Renaissance era. During the Middle Ages, after enjoying economic and social prosperity, the town fell into isolation typical of other rural regions of Italy. The 19th-century "Risorgimento" or unification of Italy under Garibaldi and Cavour brought about much social and political change throughout the country. Lanciano, along with numerous other towns and villages, played its part on the political stage during the Unification as well as the two World Wars of the 20th Century.

The town of Ortona, dubbed "Little Stalingrad" for the fierce fighting that took place amongst Canadian and German troops, is a quarter-hour's drive from the school. Here, the Moro River Second World War Cemetery holds 1,375  Canadian soldiers and 200 of their Allied brothers-in-arms.

As our foremost tradition, CCI recognizes their sacrifice every November 11, in the school's annual Remembrance Day ceremony held in this cemetery. The event is loyally attended by military, diplomatic and political guests of honor from Italy, Canada and Europe and is hosted by the school