Torricella in Sabina

Welcome to Torricella in Sabina!

Hi friends! Today I'm going to talk about a beautiful Italian commune located in the province of Rieti in Lazio, called Torricella in Sabina. This small town has a population of 1334 and is characterized by its privileged position on the southern slopes of the Sabine Mountains.

Discover Torricella in Sabina: history, monuments, and Sabina Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

A territory to discover

The town

Torricella in Sabina is situated 615 meters above sea level. Thanks to its geographical location, the town has a mild climate. The area is classified as zone E with a seismic risk level of 2B.

The history

The town has an ancient and fascinating history. Its strategic location near the Via Salaria, the ancient Roman road, made Torricella in Sabina a mandatory stop for travelers of that time. Today, history buffs can visit some important ancient Roman road ruins including the Sambuco bridge, Roman pavement in the Carnevale locality, a milestone and some ruins in Ornaro.

The oldest monument in the town is the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, dating back to the 10th century. Over the centuries, the powerful Abbey of Farfa and the Cesarini family, including the Sforza Cesarini, ruled the town until the first half of the 19th century. Inside the tower, from which the town probably takes its name, is the Church of San Giovanni Battista, the patron saint of the town.

The town has experienced difficult periods, such as the Battle of Mentana in 1867, during which the inhabitants provided weapons to the Garibaldi soldiers, and World War II, when the town suffered extensive damage caused by the retreating German army.

Places of interest

Religious architecture and important monuments

Torricella in Sabina is a real treasure trove of religious architecture and important monuments. The Church of San Giovanni Battista is located inside the large medieval tower and is composed of a beautiful stone rose window and remains of frescoes in the apse. The late Romanesque church is well preserved and is certainly one of the most important monuments in the town.

Just outside the town, there are the Church and the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The rectangular Romanesque church preserves medieval frescoes near the main altar, despite the damage suffered during World War II.

The "Sabina" Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The territory of Torricella is part of the Sabine territories suitable for the production of "Sabina" Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a Protected Designation of Origin. This rich oil with unique characteristics has been appreciated for centuries and continues to be one of the Italian excellences.

Conclusion

Torricella in Sabina is a small gem in Lazio that really deserves to be visited. With its ancient history, religious monuments, and production of Sabina olive oil, this place offers a lot to discover. I hope you enjoyed this brief description of the town and that one day you can visit it in person!

Giulia Rizzo
Wrote by Giulia Rizzo
Updated Tuesday, Nov 29, 2022