Torre Alfina
Welcome to Torre Alfina: History and Geography
Welcome to Torre Alfina, a hamlet of the municipality of Acquapendente, located on the northern edge of the Alfina plateau, in Lazio. This beautiful village is about 12 km from Acquapendente, at an altitude of 602 m above sea level, and has a population of 345 inhabitants (Istat data 2001). Torre Alfina has been classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and is located near the border with Umbria, very close to Tuscany. The village borders the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve and the monumental forest of Sasseto, which can be accessed from the public gardens of the village.
The Toponymy of Torre Alfina
The name of the village derives from the castle that dominates it. Built around a medieval watchtower, the word "Torre" could derive from here. Some believe that "Alfina" derives from the Latin "ad fines," which means "at the borders," because the village is located on the borders of the plateau in relation to the municipal territory of Orvieto that dominated it. Others argue that "Alfina" was added to identify the geographical location on the homonymous plateau and to distinguish the village from the nearby Torre di San Severo.
The History of Torre Alfina
There is no certain information that the area was inhabited in Etruscan or Roman times, but the proximity to the Etruscan settlement of Velzna and the fact that the plateau was crossed by the Traiana Nova route (Italy) suggests it. The first historical notations concern the existence of a watchtower in the castle, described in the "Commentari Istorici" of Monaldo Monaldeschi della Cervara. The castle then became a fiefdom of the Monaldeschi family and its branch "della Cervara" from 1200 to 1700.
Later, it passed to the Bourbon del Monte marquises through a marriage that occurred in the second half of the seventeenth century. Around the mid-1400s, the village of Torre Alfina had reached a certain administrative autonomy, constituting a rural municipality dependent on Orvieto. The French Revolution left its mark on the small town which, in 1809, was suppressed due to the demographic decline (it had only 300 inhabitants) and its territory was aggregated to the municipality of Acquapendente.
During the Battle of Mentana, in 1867, General Giovanni Acerbi chose Torre Alfina as his headquarters, thanks to its favorable geographical position, from where he proclaimed the Prodittatore. The castle and its estate remained the property of the Bourbon del Monte until around 1880 when they were purchased by a wealthy Belgian Jewish banker, Edoardo Cahen (1832-1894).
The Marquis of Torre Alfina
Cahen, already a count and ennobled to thank him for being the only European banker to finance the Risorgimento, was appointed marquis by Umberto I in 1885 and adorned himself with the title of "Marquis of Torre Alfina". He started the renovation of the palace as it appears today, according to the project entrusted to the Sienese architect Giuseppe Partini.
Life in Torre Alfina Today
Today, the village of Torre Alfina is a charming place where life flows slowly and time seems to stand still. The castle has been transformed into a charming agriturismo, where visitors can enjoy the charm of the historic residence and the beauty of the surrounding nature. The favorable geographical position of the village makes it an ideal starting point for excursions to the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve and the monumental forest of Sasseto, but also to visit other places of art and culture such as Orvieto, Bolsena, Civita di Bagnoregio, Siena, Florence, and Rome, all easily reachable.
Conclusion
In summary, Torre Alfina, a typical village in the province of Viterbo, is an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxing holiday, between art, history, and nature. Its fascinating history, its historic castle, and the beauty of the surrounding nature make it a unique place in the world. Come and discover Torre Alfina and let yourself be captivated by its charm!
