Torre del Greco
The City of Torre del Greco
Hello everyone! Today we are going to talk about Torre del Greco, a city in the Campania region located inside the Vesuvius National Park. With its 80,309 inhabitants, this city offers a lot to see and discover.
Origin of the Name
To start with, it is worth mentioning the origins of the city's name. The ancient denomination was "Turris Octava", which referred to the tower erected by Frederick II Duke of Swabia. According to another hypothesis, the name derives from a villa belonging to Augustus. The first attestation of the toponym instead dates back to the 14th century and can be found in a diploma from the year 1324 of Charles, Duke of Calabria. Whatever the case, it seems correct to tie the name of the city to the significant production of the so-called "Greek wine".
History
Torre del Greco has a history that is intertwined with that of other cities in the area, such as Herculaneum and Pompeii. In Roman times, it was probably a residential suburb of Herculaneum, with numerous villas that enjoyed the beauty of the places and the central position within the Gulf of Naples.
Unfortunately, as happened with many cities in the area, the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD also devastated these places, reshaping the entire soil and pushing the sea back by over 500 meters. Later on, the city underwent the events of the Kingdom of Naples, becoming part of the royal demesne.
Culture and Traditions
The city of Torre del Greco offers many cultural and traditional attractions. For example, the Archaeological Museum and the Coral Museum are two must-see destinations for lovers of history and art. In addition, during the Carnival of Torre, the city comes alive with colors and music, offering dance performances and numerous parades of allegorical floats.
But probably the most famous and characteristic tradition of the city is that of coral processing. In fact, the city is known all over the world for the production of precious coral artifacts, from which a thriving industry is derived, located in the "sciabiche" and "sciabiche nuove" neighborhoods. In the Borgo Marinaro, on the other hand, it offers a precious glimpse of the historic center of the city, with an infinity of small streets and artisan shops that sell ceramics, corals, and nativity scenes.
What to Eat
Like every self-respecting city in Campania, here too the cuisine is really special! Among the typical dishes, one cannot fail to mention spaghetti alla Nerano, spaghetti with clams, rabbit cacciatore, and fish soup.
But the most famous dish, the one for which Torre del Greco is known all over the world, is undoubtedly escarole pizza. It is a rustic pizza filled with escarole, olives, capers, and anchovies, enriched with caciocavallo and buffalo mozzarella. A delight for the palate!
The Sea
Finally, it is worth mentioning the natural beauty of the city. Thanks to its privileged position between Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples, Torre del Greco offers a breathtaking view of the sea. The beaches of black pebbles and cliffs are the ideal place for those who want to enjoy the crystal-clear sea and take a dip in the waters of the Mediterranean.
In short, Torre del Greco is a city worth dedicating at least one day of your visit to Campania to. History, culture, traditions, cuisine, and the sea come together to offer an unforgettable experience!
