Torretta di Crucoli

On the Ionian coast, 7 kilometers from Crucoli, its home municipality, along the State Road 106 Jonica, lies the hamlet of Torretta. There are two hypotheses about the origin of its name: some say it derives from one of the numerous ancient watchtowers scattered along the coastline, while others believe the name Torretta comes from the remaining tower of the small hunting castle belonging to the last feudal lord of Crucoli (the Amalfitani family), later owned by the Clausi family—the latter being the most widely accepted theory.

Little is known about the history of this precious gem of the Ionian Riviera. A recent hypothesis suggests that the modern hamlet of Torretta stands on the site of the ancient Roman settlement of Paternum, crossed by the Norman “Traianea Jonica” road, which was overlapped in the Bourbon era by the Naples route. Along this route was a horse-changing post with an attached tavern (today Casa Celsi) dating back to the 1600s. Multiple archaeological finds, which can be admired in the Archaeological Museum at Palazzo Palopoli, support this theory.

All industrial, commercial, and tourist activities have developed along the coast, and today Torretta is a town rich in productive activities, well integrated into tourism (it was awarded the Blue Flag by the FEE for clean and clear seas for four years: 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2002).

The beach and its surroundings, during the hunting and fishing seasons, attract enthusiasts from all over the peninsula. In March, April, and May, the enchanting beaches of Torretta host the sardella fishing season—the catching of sardine fry—a spectacle worth seeing. Thanks to the skillful hands of the women of Crucoli who preserve and process this catch, the “Sardella di Crucoli” is produced, a typical and prized product of our municipality.

With the “A. Laudano” villa and the Kennedy seafront embellished by murals and bathing resorts, Torretta enchants and fascinates tourists with its beautiful and spacious beach, the clarity of the sea waters, and the golden sand.