Route: Castel Di Tora
Area: Lazio region, Central Italy
Date of walk: 29th May 2023
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 0.7 miles
Ascent: 100 feet
Weather: Sunny and warm, a light rainshower near the end
Castel di Tora is listed among ‘Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages’ and is well seen from its neighbouring village Colle di Tora which we visited earlier today
Formerly a hilltop village standing at an elevation of around 2,000 feet above sea level, Castel di Tora underwent a dramatic alteration in 1939 when the dry farmland surrounding it became a newly created body of water. Lake Turano was born to both protect the nearby Rieti Valley from the threat of flood, and also to provide hydro-electric energy. From the moment the lake was created, the landscape around the village was transformed
We parked in a free car park near the old part of the village. Traffic restrictions are in place a few yards beyond this and Castel di Tora is traffic free apart from the postman and a few other permitted tradesmen. The village is characterised by very narrow streets, arches and old houses leaning against each other. We wandered up and down flights of steps and narrow alleys following no particular route, although I’ve provided the usual route map in case it’s of use
Despite the attraction of being one of ‘Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages’ we were the only tourists around and the streets were deserted apart from a few friendly locals
During the course of our short stay in the Sabine Hills area we visited seven ancient small villages and towns – Posticciola, Colle di Tora, Castel di Tora (today’s walk), Rocca Sinibalda, Toffia, Frasso Sabino and Monteleone Sabino. These general comments apply to all of them, and no doubt to the many other old villages in the region. Anyone following our footsteps is advised to park outside the old areas for two reasons: firstly, traffic regulations are in place which restrict entry to locals and, secondly, the streets are very narrow and winding, and inevitably peter out. Once in, it would be hard to get out. These quiet communes do not cater for mass tourism and although there may be the occasional village shop, local bar or restaurant there is no guarantee that it will be open for business. I’ve provided the customary route maps of our walks, but it’s not necessary to follow a set route. There are numerous alleys, staircases and narrow passageways and it’s best to follow whichever of these looks to be the most tempting
Click on the icon below for the route map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Castel di Tora seen from Colle di Tora on our previous walk...
After crossing the bridge across Lake Turano we park on the outskirts of the village. The historic centre is a pedestrian zone, in common with the other old villages we visited in the area
Looking across the lake to Colle di Tora
We wander along the cobbled street
Lookig down to the bridge which we crossed earlier
Fountain in the village square
Another view across to Colle di Tora
We pass under the arch to complete the short circuit
View across Lake Turano from our parking space
