Things to do in Torchiara Italy – what to see attractions and activities

The origins of the castle are very ancient, the first testimonies date back to the Greek-Byzantine period. Its architecture has changed from time to time but what gave the final touch was the restoration of the 15th century, time when it became a military fortress. Then the castle lost this function and became a residence for noble families. There are two characters that are linked to the Luisa Sanfelice castle: the coat of arms of the family that is still on a door of the castle and the French writer Marguerite Yourcenar.

The Municipal Antiquarium of Agropoli was built in 1975 and is located at Palazzo Coppola. The archaeological objects that the museum owns were donated by individuals and by the 'Agropoli Archaeological Group'. The finds belong to a period from the 7th century to the fourth century before Christ.

The Tower of San Francesco had the function of sighting. It was built near the Franciscan Convent built here in 1230, as this was a strategic position that allowed to communicate in the north with the Castle and with Torre San Marco and to the south with the Tower of Trentova and with that of the tip Tresino.

The 19th century Matarazzo villa was the summer residence of Count Francesco Matarazzo, who emigrated in 1881 to Brazil in which it became one of the most important industrialists in the world. The villa is rich in greenery and fields that once housed the extensive family vineyard.

Norman-Aragonese tower of the 'Pagliarola' (better known on site as' Perrotti '), which combined with 'Palazzo Perrotti' dominates the Marina Piccola di Santa Maria. The origin was traced back to the Middle Ages, but it was further enhanced in the years 1570-71.

Built in 1123 to protect the population from Saracen attacks. The fortress has its perimeter walls with four corner towers and inside it has everything it needed to survive in the event of an attack: homes, ovens, cisterns and warehouses. You can also visit the dungeons, which, according to legend, should allow the escape to the sea in case of invasion.

The tower was built in the 16th century, and is one of the three towers in the Paestum area. It is a symbol of the end of the night attacks of looting groups, in the place. The citizens, now accustomed to such attacks, left access free and united their homes, building farmhouses. In the second half of the XVI, the Spanish took possession of the whole of the South of Italy. They then reinforced the whole place, building a system of towers. The tower is now visible only externally.

The Archaeological Park of Paestum, in the province of Salerno, is located in the well-known homonymous locality and is known thanks to the three Doric temples, among the best preserved of antiquity: the Temple of Neptune, the Basilica, the Temple of Ceres. The walls are one of the best preserved fortified circuits in the whole of Magna Grecia, almost 5 kilometers long. In the area of the Roman city, in addition to the Capitolium, there are other significant remains: the Forum, the Amphitheatre, and the remains of many religious buildings. The site has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The National Archaeological Museum of Paestum is located in the archaeological area of the homonymous city. It contains numerous finds from the city of Heraion and the nearby necropolis of Gaudo and Santa Venera. The structure of the Museum is divided into three floors in turn divided into six sections that chronologically trace the origins of the city and its evolution.

The National Park of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni was established in 1991 and since 1998 is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (with the archaeological sites of Paestum and Velia and the Charterhouse of Padula).

The Castle of Princes Capano is located in the municipality of Pollica. What we see today is the result of a restructuring that took place in 1610, at the behest of Vincenzo Capano. The tower and the service rooms stand out from the structure. Since 1997, the structure has been owned by the Municipality. Nowadays it is open to the public according to the set times.

It is a typical military-defensive construction, in particular the tower had the specific function of a bulwark. In fact, the entrance is at the top and not on the ground floor. The castle in 1724 passed under the property of the Talamo-Atenolfi family, from which it also took the name it still has today. It offers wonderful views and is among the most beautiful castles in the area.

The Church of St. Peter the Apostle is the main parish of Torraca that was erected in the late 9th century. Radically transformed during the eighteenth century, it was again restored around 1920 as evidenced by its current decorations. In the vault of the central nave the painter painted scenes inspired by the life of St. Peter; under the dome the heavenly triumph appears. This church preserves a valuable seventeenth-century bath, used as a baptismal font.

Next to the parish of St. Peter the Apostle there is the Chapel of Sant'Anna founded by the Magaldi family who on the entrance brings this wording engraved on marble: This little church dedicated to Sant'Anna because of the time had been neglected for a long time and the archpriest Giuseppe Mercadante after taking it down from the foundations, took care to rebuild it in a more beautiful form.

The construction of the Castle or Palazzo Vinciprova was carried out thanks to the Ripolo family, originally from Catalonia. It has a massive structure and harmonious at the same time. It is composed of two side towers and another central body that unites both of them. Today, owned by the Municipality, it houses various marine institutions within it.

The Santa Maria di Castellabate marine protected area is a marine reserve in Campania, established in 2009, which covers an area at sea falling entirely in the municipality of Castellabate. In fact, uncommon and protected animal and plant species live in the seabed.