Castel di Tora, Italian comune
Castel di Tora is a small commune situated on the northern shore of Lake Turano in the Province of Rieti. The village features traditional stone houses with tiled roofs arranged along narrow streets that descend toward the water, surrounded by steep gorges and thick forests.
The commune originated as a defensive settlement on the shores of the former Turano river. The construction of a dam in the 1930s fundamentally transformed the landscape and caused the flooding of nearby villages such as Borgo Antuni.
The Church of San Giovanni in the village center serves as a gathering place for the community, especially during celebrations. Local traditions come alive in festivals where people share homemade pasta, cheese, and regional specialties that have been prepared the same way for generations.
The village is small and easily walkable, best explored with comfortable shoes for the cobbled paths. Park at the village edge and allow time for leisurely walks along the lake, particularly in spring or early fall when the weather is mild and pleasant.
The Hermitage of San Salvatore is a natural cave with a chapel built into a mountainside overlooking the lake, dating to the 1300s and still decorated with two original frescoes from the 1640s. This hidden sanctuary is accessible only through guided tours and offers visitors insight into the lives of hermits who once inhabited it.
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