Torrenova
Welcome to Torrenova: let's discover this Sicilian town together
Torrenova is a town in the metropolitan city of Messina in Sicily, which currently has just under 4500 inhabitants. In this friendly guide, we will take you on a journey to discover this charming village on the Tyrrhenian coast.
Physical Geography
Territory
The surface area of the municipality of Torrenova is approximately 1298 hectares with a population density of approximately 326.81 inhabitants per square kilometer. The village borders the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north, from where you can admire the panorama from the Rocca of Cefalù to the nearby Capo d'Orlando. Furthermore, if you look north-east, you can see the beautiful Aeolian Islands: Alicudi, Filicudi, Salina, Lipari, and Vulcano.
To the south, the border of the municipality of Torrenova meets San Marco d'Alunzio, to the west with Sant'Agata di Militello and Militello Rosmarino, and finally to the east with Capri Leone and Capo d'Orlando.
History
The municipality of Torrenova was established on December 9, 1984, with Regional Law no. 96 of November 16, obtaining autonomy.
The name of the municipality derives from the presence of three military towers used for sighting pirates coming from the sea. These towers were part of the warning system of the Sicilian coastal towers, built on the recommendation of Florentine architect Camillo Camilliani.
The Cuffari Tower, located on the right bank of the Favara stream, served as a watchtower to signal danger to the inhabitants of San Marco d'Alunzio. Currently, only a ruin remains of it. The Marco Tower, on the other hand, served to monitor the transit on the Favara stream and collapsed in January 2019. Finally, the Gatto Tower, from which the name of the municipality derives, was called Torre Nuova (Torrenova) because it was the last tower built. It was built for the defense and control of the urban nucleus settling near the tower.
Monuments and Places of Interest
The municipality of Torrenova has a wealth of interesting monuments and places of interest to visit. The Byzantine church of San Pietro in Deca, also known as "Conventazzo," was a Greek-Basilian monastery that has been documented since the 12th century and was in operation until 1600, but its origins date back to late antiquity. Today, only a round dome, probably with a commemorative function, remains standing. Later, an external casing of octagonal shape was added (unique in its kind in Sicily).
Next to the church, there are the remains of the Norman-era church, the object of excavations since 2002 directed by Ewald Kislinger from the University of Vienna. Nearby there are several interesting archaeological areas to explore. The Valle del Rosmarino locality has the remains of a medieval bridge, while history enthusiasts can visit the caves inhabited since the neolithic period in the Scudunì locality, to the north of the SS113.
Furthermore, dating back to the 18th century, is the Porta di Pietra di Roma that will surely take your breath away for its majesty. It is a monument of great historical and architectural importance, a symbol of the town's historical past.
Finally, a visit to the three towers that gave the municipality its name cannot be missed. The Cuffari Tower, although in a state of abandonment, is still one of the symbols of the town. Those who love ancient places will be fascinated by the Marco Tower, a medieval construction that remains unique in its kind. Finally, the Gatto Tower, the youngest tower that gave the municipality its name, is a symbol of defense and control of the urban nucleus that settled near the tower.
Conclusion
The municipality of Torrenova is certainly a fascinating place to discover. Its history was built on the defense of the territory and the fight against pirates coming from the sea. The monuments and places of interest are numerous and offer us the opportunity to deepen our historical knowledge, as well as enjoy the natural wonders of the Tyrrhenian coast. Come and discover this charming Sicilian village and let yourself be captured by its unique beauty and timeless charm.
