Castel di Tora
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 26 September 2023
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The lakeside town of Castel di Tora is situated in the Province of Rieti, on the shores of Lake Turano in Lazio. On 1 January 2022 the Comune of Castel di Tora had a population of 267 and the town's highlights include the nearby Borgo Monte Antuni.
Castel di Tora covers a total geographical area of 55 square kilometres and reaches an elevation of 607 metres above sea level. |
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Castel di Tora is listed among the Borghi Più Belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages) by the organisation of the same name. There are in excess of 300 such villages that make the list and this is one of the prettiest. For each village, the Borghi Più Belli add a tagline and in the case of Castel di Tora it's Un Presepe sulle Acque which translates as "A Crib on the Water".
Until fairly recently, Castel di Tora had a different name and its surrounding area a completely different look. In 1864, the town hitherto known as Castel Vecchio was renamed Castel di Tora: a nod to the perhaps mythical ancient Sabine city of Thora. The Sabines were a tribe that occupied the Apennines of Central Italy up until the 1st century BC and there are still many references to them throughout Lazio.
Aside from the change of name, the most dramatic alteration to the town came in 1939 when the dry lands surrounding it became a newly created body of water. Lake Turano was created in order to both protect the nearby Rieti Valley from the threat of flood, but also as a way to provide hydro-electric energy. From the moment the Lake was created, the landscape around Castel di Tora was transformed.
The village has few sights to speak of but it's the sense of history and tradition that make it so appealing. Although it's less than 50 kilometres from the centre of Rome, the area around Castel di Tora feels quite remote. In times past, the village would have been difficult to reach and still has a presence quite untouched by modernity.
This is a really peaceful part of Italy and forms part of the Riserva Naturale Monte Navegna e Monte Cervia which has some wonderful walks to enjoy with the nearby Cascate delle Vallocchie waterfalls a particular highlight. The Lake really comes into its own during the summer when a number of water-sports take place with the help of the nearby Nautical Club Turano.
Dramatic as the sight of Castel di Tora is, (in many ways resembling the sumptuous Castello Aragonese of Ischia that adorns the cover photo of this website), it's dwarfed by the 696 metre high Monte Antuni that lies opposite it across the water. The Borgo of Antuni was a village that occupied the top of the mountain but is now deserted and considered a ghost village. Although it may be tempting to climb the mountain when you visit Castel di Tora, this can only be done with a pre-arranged guide for groups of 15 or more.
Until fairly recently, Castel di Tora had a different name and its surrounding area a completely different look. In 1864, the town hitherto known as Castel Vecchio was renamed Castel di Tora: a nod to the perhaps mythical ancient Sabine city of Thora. The Sabines were a tribe that occupied the Apennines of Central Italy up until the 1st century BC and there are still many references to them throughout Lazio.
Aside from the change of name, the most dramatic alteration to the town came in 1939 when the dry lands surrounding it became a newly created body of water. Lake Turano was created in order to both protect the nearby Rieti Valley from the threat of flood, but also as a way to provide hydro-electric energy. From the moment the Lake was created, the landscape around Castel di Tora was transformed.
The village has few sights to speak of but it's the sense of history and tradition that make it so appealing. Although it's less than 50 kilometres from the centre of Rome, the area around Castel di Tora feels quite remote. In times past, the village would have been difficult to reach and still has a presence quite untouched by modernity.
This is a really peaceful part of Italy and forms part of the Riserva Naturale Monte Navegna e Monte Cervia which has some wonderful walks to enjoy with the nearby Cascate delle Vallocchie waterfalls a particular highlight. The Lake really comes into its own during the summer when a number of water-sports take place with the help of the nearby Nautical Club Turano.
Dramatic as the sight of Castel di Tora is, (in many ways resembling the sumptuous Castello Aragonese of Ischia that adorns the cover photo of this website), it's dwarfed by the 696 metre high Monte Antuni that lies opposite it across the water. The Borgo of Antuni was a village that occupied the top of the mountain but is now deserted and considered a ghost village. Although it may be tempting to climb the mountain when you visit Castel di Tora, this can only be done with a pre-arranged guide for groups of 15 or more.
Comune di Castel di Tora
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Province Rieti
Region: Lazio Population: 268 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 55 km² Elevation: 607 metres Highlights: Lake Turano, Borgo Monte Antuni, panoramic views Close by: Colle di Tora, Orvinio, Collalto Sabino, Rieti, Percile Recommended accommodation: Village on the Lake |
One of I Borghi più belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages)
Listing headline: Un Presepe sulle Acque (A Crib on the Waters)
Listing headline: Un Presepe sulle Acque (A Crib on the Waters)
