Village of Torricella

The ancient village of Torricella rises at the foot of Mount Botticella known as Mont'Ercole. Inhabited since prehistoric times, it hosted Sabini, Sapri and Roman Umbrians. The birth of the Torricella Community can be linked to the erection of the Temple of Hercules (around the end of 200 BC) when the pilgrimage to the temple encouraged the flowering of activities related to the breeding of livestock destined for sacrifices and hospitality to be offered to the pilgrims. This ancient village followed the historical events of the territory of Santagati, but it was due to the Duke Federico da Montefeltro in 1474, the modernization of the castle as evidenced by a coat of arms placed on the north gate. The church became a parish church in the 16th century, underwent radical renovations between 1833 and 1864 and preserves two precious altarpieces enclosed in 18th-century statues of exquisite workmanship. Going a few hundred meters from the town of Torricella in the direction of the village of Libiano (another place to report for a visit) and taking a path in the bush, you reach a prehistoric sacrificial altar used presumably for pagan religious practices and subsequently destined to a different use for collecting rainwater.