Torvaianica
A legendary seaside resort
Hello everyone! Today we will talk about Torvaianica, a hamlet of Pomezia in Lazio, famous for being a beautiful seaside resort on the Roman coast. Its long beach, around 8.5 km long, is a true spectacle for the eyes. But did you know that according to legend, millennia ago Aeneas landed on the mouth of the Numicus River (identified today with the Fosso di Pratica) as narrated by Publius Virgil Maro in the Aeneid? This legend seems to be confirmed by the nearby findings in the archaeological area of ancient Lavinium.
The history of Torvaianica
The "fossa Valanicum" was already known in the eighth century when it formed part of the "Massa Fonteiana". Over the years, the first families of fishermen coming from Minturno settled on the coast in the early 20th century. Later, with the reclamation of the Pontine marshes, settlers joined them.
In the 1950s, there was a significant tourist increase, especially after the famous "Montesi Case" which reached its peak in the 1960s. The area was supposed to develop as Rome's elegant seaside resort, but overbuilding, without any regulatory plan and criteria for the valorization of the beach, caused the subsequent decline of the coast.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Torvaianica reached its lowest point. The inhabitants decreased to 5,000 units and the houses, no longer maintained and allowed to decline, were rented to the first foreigners from Eastern Europe, mainly Russians. In recent years, however, Torvaianica has experienced a period of repopulation, also thanks to the phenomenon of young couples moving from nearby Rome, where housing prices are prohibitive.
The origin of the name
But where does the name Torvaianica come from? The name derives from the tower of Vajanico, from the Latin "balanus" (acorn), built in 1580 to defend the hinterland from Saracen pirate raids. Just near the tower, in the early 1900s, the first families of fishermen settled.
In conclusion, Torvaianica is a seaside resort with ancient and legendary history, which has gone through phases of decline and repopulation. However, its long beach remains a true spectacle for the eyes of anyone who visits it. If you want to enjoy the sun and the sea, I strongly recommend visiting Torvaianica. See you soon!
