Torraca is situated on green hills at 420 m above the sea-level, near Sapri. It is one of the most typical towns of the Gulf of Policastro.
The ancient part of the town is characterized by terraces, narrow streets, portals and courtyards that recreate an ancient atmosphere, the typical atmosphere of rural life. The main square of the town is really charming, and young people and older people love to spend their time there.
Palazzo Bifani is very interesting, there is a rich library (called Fondo Librario) belonged to Achille Bifani, with precious manuscripts of Southern intellectuals of 1800.
A local products festival takes place in August.
Monuments and natural beauties...
• Madonna dei Cordici Sanctuary with a Greek cross plant, a rich floor made with hand-painted ceramics from Vietri
• Congrega Chapel
• Buttino Woods, with chestnut groves, walnut trees and cherry trees
• Mangosa wood made of ilexes where porcupines and wild cats live
• Santi Patroni Pietro e Paolo Church, with a XVII century baptismal font
• Viggiani House in liberty style, decorated with two clay panels called “mucciarieddi”
• Palazzo Bifani, there is a rich library (called Fondo Librario) belonged to Achille Bifani, with precious manuscripts of Southern intellectuals of 1800
• Anime del Purgatorio Church
• Palazzo Baronale built in XVI century on the ruins of a Middle Ages castle that gave hospitality to Federico II di Borbone
• Sant’Anna Chapel
• Spadarea Hamlet
• Paintings by Biagio Mercadante in the town hall
History...
Torraca was founded as a refuge for the populations that escaped from the coast. The town is very ancient as tombs of IV century b.C. testify.
The modern town was founded in XI century when a group of Italian – Greek monks built an important monastery, whose ruins still remain along the road that goes from Torraca.
During the Vespro war between Angevins and Aragons (1282-1302), the ancient Middle Ages hamlet was one of the strongest Angevin fortresses.
In 1806 the town was assaulted by French army that burnt the town and sacked the Castle stealing pictures, statues and other objects. The painter Biagio Mercandante was born in Torraca: his paintings are in the town hall. He made also a theatre curtain painted with landscapes from Torraca.
by Stefania Maffeo
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