Tower of the Castrum of Torregrotta

La Tower of the Castrum of Torregrotta is considered as one of the most iconic monuments of the locality located in province of Messina. Its history starts from far away, perhaps even at the time of the Roman Empire.
Here are the main characteristics of a place full of charm.

The history of the Torre del Castrum of Torregrotta

To know the history of Castle Tower, it is essential to start from the origins of Torregrotta. The territory of this town was already populated in Roman times. From the medieval age up to the modern age, this portion of Sicily was under the guidance of the feud of Santa Maria della Scala. The inhabitants were mainly peasants, who however started from the fourteenth century. The new housing center was only built around the sixteenth century and today it is the historic centre. The farmhouse was rebuilt at the behest of Emperor Charles V who saw in that place the new beating heart of the residential nucleus.

In a similar context, the Torre del Castrum was built, a fortress built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. It was created on commission from Emperor Charles V, precisely with the aim of guaranteeing valid protection to those who lived within the Santa Maria area. Over the decades, there has been no lack of restorations. Currently, it seems perfectly framed in a sequence of houses and buildings in the very central Via Trieste.

How the Torre del Castrum of Torregrotta looks today

The Torre del Castrum was almost totally absorbed by the town of the same name in Messina, which today has about 7 inhabitants. However, it is surrounded by the so-called crenellated arch, a large gateway that was only built at a later time. Even today, the sequence formed by the numbers 6, 5 and 0 can be seen on the keystone of the door. Consequently, it is presumable that its construction was completed in 1650.

What to do near the Torre del Castrum of Torregrotta

The areas adjacent to the Torre del Castrum in Torregrotta offer numerous points of interest to citizens and visitors. From the Church of San Paolino Bishop to that of Santa Maria della Scala, for the faithful there is no shortage of alternatives. The War Memorial is essential to remember the local soldiers who died during the First World War, while there is also a statue of San Pio da Pietrelcina. Also important are the rock cave and the various icons representing the Madonna della Scala.

How to get to Torregrotta

By car:, to reach Torregrotta from Messina just take the SS113 and travel just over 30 kilometers. The distance increases if you have to leave from Catania (124 kilometers crossing the A18) or Palermo (over 200 kilometers passing along the A20).
Who takes the train can reach the railway stations of Milazzo and Barcellona-Castroreale, respectively 8 and 14 kilometers from the centre.