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TORTORELLA
Tortorella,
a picturesque village in the hinterland of the Gulf of Policastro,
is situated at some 580 metres above sea level on a steep hill
dominating the deep, river Bussento gorge.
The settlement was founded just before the 10th century by fugitives
from Saracen pirate incursions. Typical medieval architectural
relics dating from these eras can still be seen in the village.
These include the 11th century Mother Church della Collegiata
with its splendid portal, and ruins of the old defensive walls.
The walls were originally erected by the Normans and later reinforced
by the Angioini during the Vespro wars.
In the 14th century, Tortorella became one of the many possessions
the Counts Sanseverino and grew rapidly in importance until it
incorporated the nearby settlements of Casaletto Spartano and
Battaglia. In the 17th - 18th centuries Tortorella was a centre
of so-called high society, as testified by the beautiful palaces
from that era, such as that of the Counts Carafa – which
is now in ruins. Several churches can also be traced back to the
above period, including that of San Vito, situated a short distance
from the village: the church square is an important meeting place
for the local populace.
In the 18th century the village was an important handicraft centre,
particularly in the field of wrought-iron work. The secrets of
the latter have been handed down, father in son to the present
day. Activities associated with mills were was also important
as testified by the ruins of the numerous water mills - most of
them now covered by thick vegetation - located along the banks
of the river Bussento.
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