Torino di Sangro

province of Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy

Info:

Altitude: 160 m a.s.l -- Distance from Chieti: 60 km -- Population: ca. 3000 inhabitants -- Zip code: 66020 -- Phone Area Code: 0873 -- How to reach it:
- trains: Ferrovia Sangritana from Lanciano (tel: 0872 70819)
- road: A14 exit Lanciano, then road 524 towards Fossacesia, road 16 "Adriatica" for 4 km southward to Vasto, after the bridge on the Sangro river there's a turning to Torino di Sangro

The place

Rising on a hilltop between the Sangro and Sinello rivers, a few km from the Adriatic Sea, Torino lies in the middle of a very picturesque vegetation, one of the extremely few relics of the ancient Lecceta Litoranea that once occupied the Adriatic coast. The wood extends for about 3 km along the coast, and, owing to the very low tourist exploitation ot the area, has survived nearly intact the aggression of urbanization. The territory lying along the Valle dell'Osento has in the past often experienced landslides. The economy is lively with agricultural firms producing oil and quality wines, construction firms, there is also a small beach where people can bathe and lie in the sun.

History:

In the XII century there was on the area a settlement called Civita de Sangro which was abandoned and built in a higher position because of endemic malaric fevers. In the it was included in the jurisdiction of the Abbey of Santo Stefano ad rivum maris, and later of the city of Lanciano. It was a feud of various families: the Piccolominis, Colonnas, d'Aquinos, d'Avalos and lastly de Stefano.

Sights & Excursions

The parish church (XVIII century), restored in the early XX century
Palazzo Priori
Il Bosco di Torino di Sangro
The Commonwealth Cemetery, a cemetery with the tombs of English soldiers of the II World War, with wonderful trees and gardens
The beach of Torino di Sangro, with the sand dunes typical of the Macchia Mediterranea, where with some attention wild lilies and poppies can be seen in early summer
Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, between Fossacesia and Torino di Sangro, a Benedictine monastery of the VIII century with great works of art in the portal lowrelief and the frescoes in the crypt, and an asounding view of the Adriatic coast

Events & Festivities

3 May: Feast of S. Croce
Late May: Feast of Madonna di Loreto
10 Dicembre: Nocturnal vigil to wait for the birth of Madonna di Loreto

Hotels, Lodging, Restaurants

Hotel Flavia
Hotel Il Cardellino
Agritourist Centers
Camping Sangro, in the wood (0873 915118)
Camping Sun Beach, on the seaside (0873 915109)

Genealogy, News & Links

People researching in Torino di Sangro

Newspaper articles on Torino di Sangro
Priori, D., Lo stemma e il nome di Torino di Sangro, in "Rivista Abruzzese", a IX, 1956
Calabresi A., La borgata marina di Torino di Sangro e i problemi della vallata del Sangro, Chieti 1971