Torano Castello
A friendly greeting from Torano Castello
Hello everyone, today I will talk to you about the town of Torano Castello, a wonderful village located in the beautiful province of Cosenza, in Calabria, Italy. The town boasts a population of about 4,610 inhabitants and covers an area of 30.22 km². Are you ready to discover everything there is to know about Torano Castello?
Let's discover the physical geography of Torano Castello
Torano Castello is located on a rocky spur between the valleys of the Finita and Turbolo streams, and is situated on the inland slope of the Coastal Range. The altitude of the municipality is about 370 meters above sea level and is located just a few kilometers north of the capital, Cosenza. The municipal territory is surrounded by the municipalities of Cerzeto, Lattarico, San Martino di Finita, and Bisignano. In addition, a few kilometers from the village is also the populous hamlet of Sartano, located at 274 meters above sea level.
On the origins of the name of Torano Castello
The town of Torano Castello has a particularly interesting name, which derives from the Latin name of the person ''Thorus'' or ''Turius'' (with the addition of the prefix ''an-''). However, according to some scholars, the name may be linked to the ancient Greek city of Thurii. Moreover, there is also a legend that tells that the town was named Torano to seal the victory against a bull that terrorized the population.
The history of Torano Castello
The territory of Torano Castello has a very ancient history, and traces of frequentations date back to the early Iron Age and the late Bronze Age. However, the current settlement was founded in the 11th century, during the Norman occupation. Over the centuries, the town has passed under the control of various lords, including the Lupinacci and the Caputo di Paterno. In 1811, during the French domination, Sartano was aggregated to the current municipality, putting an end to its autonomous feudal life.
The places of interest in Torano Castello
In Torano Castello, there are many places of interest to visit. For example, you can admire the Castle on the rocky spur, which was built by the Normans in the 11th century. Inside the structure, there are also the Church of San Giovanni Battista and the Baronial Palace. Moreover, it is possible to visit the Church of the Annunciation and the Church of San Francesco di Paola, which are famous for their decorations and ancient frescoes.
The society of Torano Castello
Now let's talk a bit about the society of Torano Castello. Over the years, the population of the municipality has grown steadily, reaching a maximum of 5,521 inhabitants in 1951. However, in recent years, the number of inhabitants has decreased due to emigration to other areas. Nevertheless, the community of Torano Castello is very welcoming and hospitable, and there are many popular traditions to discover.
The popular traditions of Torano Castello
Among the popular traditions of Torano Castello, there is the belief that San Francesco di Paola was conceived in the very town. Furthermore, every year the Palio di Bisignano is held, a much-awaited event that sees the different districts of the territory competing.
Conclusion
Here is the summary of the main information I have shared with you about the wonderful municipality of Torano Castello. We hope that this brief virtual journey through the beauties of the province of Cosenza has inspired you to visit this beautiful town. Bye!
