Torricella
Discover Torricella: a Salento commune not to be missed
Dear friends, today I present to you a Salento commune that you cannot miss: Torricella, or as its inhabitants call it, "Turricèdda" or "Turicèdda". With its 4148 inhabitants, it is located on the eastern side of the province of Taranto in northwestern Salento.
Physical geography
Territory
Torricella has a municipal territory that covers about 30 square kilometers and is located 32 meters above sea level. It borders the municipalities of Lizzano, Sava (Italy), and Maruggio. The highest point of the municipality is the city center where the Muscettola castle is located. Its fraction of Monacizzo, on the other hand, is 52 meters high above sea level and has older origins than the commune to which it belongs. The territory is mostly flat, with some ups and downs in the city center and towards the seaside areas of the marina.
The coast extends for about 4 km and offers vast stretches of sand and stretches of cliffs and rocky outcroppings above the sea, especially in the area of the anti-Saracen tower. In the Torricella countryside, numerous farms are present, some of which in recent years have been renovated by their owners and transformed into restaurants and agritourism locations.
History
The history of Torricella began around the 11th century when a group of shepherds and farmers abandoned the coast to seek refuge inland from Saracen pirate raids. Today the settlement is enclosed by an imposing tuff castle and three towers, built during the Aragonese period, in the second half of the 15th century, and undoubtedly among the most interesting and best-preserved in the area.
Until 1954, Torricella was first a fraction of Sava (Italy) and then of Lizzano but became an autonomous municipality following the abolition of feudalism. Until 1993, Torricella was the youngest municipality in the province of Taranto.
Historical notes and symbols
Torricella initially belonged to the Capitignano family and then to the Santoro, Montagnese, and Muscettola families. The civic coat of arms of Torricella was officially recognized on April 24, 1959, by decree of the President of the Council of Ministers.
What to see and do in Torricella
If you decide to visit Torricella, you cannot miss a visit to the Muscettola castle and the surrounding towers. You can also take a walk in the suggestive crypt of the Church of the Holy Trinity, dating back to the 12th century. For nature lovers, it is possible to take a walk through the Torricella countryside and visit some of the farms in the area.
If you love the sea, the Torricella coast offers vast stretches of sand where you can relax in the sun and swim. In addition, you can choose to take a walk along the coast and visit the anti-Saracen tower, one of the most suggestive stretches of cliffs and rocky outcroppings in the area.
Finally, if you love good food and wine, you cannot miss a lunch or dinner in one of the restored farms transformed into restaurants and agritourism locations in the area.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Torricella is a small Salento commune that offers many possibilities for leisure and relaxation for all tastes. I invite you to visit it and discover for yourself the beauties of this commune hidden in the province of Taranto. I am sure you will not regret it!
