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Torre di Ruggiero

Peaceful and charming, Torre di Ruggiero lies in an enchanting green valley between the Tyrrhenian Sea, to the west and Ionian to the east. On a clear day, one can see a spectacular sight: both seas from certain points in the town.

Although we know little of the exact origins of the town, we know that Torre was populated during the era of Great Greece as was most of Calabria. The earliest Greek colonization of the region took place between the eighth and third centuries BC with a boom in the fifth century BC. During the Roman Empire, Torre was along a main road which the Romans used to transverse the peninsula as Torre lies on the narrowest part of Italy. However, even with excellent record keeping from the Romans and then from the Church, the barbarian invasions throughout the area made finding the geneses of such a small town difficult although research continues.

One of several flour mills dating back a thousand years

As the Romans couldn't stop the barbarians in overrunning much of southern Italy, the Byzantines had more success even before the Normans totally liberated Calabria in 1060. The occupation of the Byzantines contributed much good for Calabria. They brought in a new civilized and educated culture, organized industry and commerce, law and order and, perhaps most importantly, accurate record keeping, common to the church.

A religious presence in Torre dates back to 800 AD with the presence of a large convent from that era which still exists today. An existing document dating back to April 13, 1071 details how the Norman Count Ruggero donated the village to the holy order of Saint Basolio Magno.

Most of the buildings in Torre date back to the medieval and renaissance eras when a bustling society developed. Consider that the population of the Sicilian Empire (of which Torre was part of) was in excess of 1.2 million! During the Argonese period (1300 ca.) Torre underwent major economic development and was even the site for an annual trade fair. Subsequently, we are left with many architectural, and later with the renaissance period, artistic and religious treasures from long ago. Precise population documentation and censuses finally began during the feudal era in 1595.

A glimpse of the spectacular interior and famous statue of Torre di Ruggiero's famous Maria SS. delle Grazie

Unlike many other towns in Calabria, Torre's population didn't dwindle to scarce numbers before and after World War II. Instead, just as its temperate weather, Torre's economy has survived the ages for several reasons. Its temperate climate is optimum for agriculture and forestry so there was always an income. Additionally, Torre di Ruggiero is home to the famous church Maria SS. delle Grazie, a powerful spiritual center of attraction where thousand of pilgrims visit every year. Celebrated for centuries of miracles, Maria SS. delle Grazie is one of only a handful of churches in all of Italy designated by the Vatican as part of the Consorzio Giubileo 2000, an official Jubilee Church.

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