Torrecchia Vecchia – Recovery Project

PNRR M1C3
Intervento 2.3 – Historic Parks and Gardens
CUP B51G22000020004

‍Torrecchia Vecchia is a historic site composed of a medieval castrum, significant architectural ruins and a historic garden set within a protected natural ecosystem. Despite decades of careful maintenance by the Caracciolo family, the site had reached a critical point where ordinary upkeep was no longer sufficient to address structural decay, vegetation pressure and increasing safety constraints.Technical studies conducted since 2008 identified growing structural risks, particularly along the perimeter walls, where uncontrolled root systems and invasive vegetation were undermining masonry and foundations. Following the death of Prince Carlo Caracciolo, several planned conservation actions were interrupted, leaving key areas unfinished, including the rock-cut chapel and approximately one hectare of historic garden, which progressively became inaccessible.At the same time, public access remained extremely limited despite strong demand. Poor access roads, lack of basic visitor infrastructure and the impossibility of meeting modern safety and accessibility standards prevented the site from being opened in a consistent and regulated way.

The PNRR M1C3 – Intervento 2.3 recovery project was designed to address these issues in a targeted and operational manner.
The intervention focuses on three core objectives.

First, it restores structural and environmental balance by securing ruins, controlling vegetation, regenerating abandoned garden areas and completing the historic landscape design initiated by Dan Pearson.

Second, it makes the site safely accessible through stabilized access roads, secure visitor paths, basic services and digital tools for visitor management, without altering the character of the place or increasing mass tourism.

Third, it equips Torrecchia Vecchia with long-term management tools, including a functional cultural hub within the Carlo Caracciolo Library, educational spaces and a digital infrastructure supporting guided visits and research activities.The project also introduces a practical circular economy model for garden management.

Green waste generated on site is reused through a biomass cogeneration system, producing heat and energy for horticultural use and returning biochar to the soil to improve fertility and reduce water and input consumption.At completion, the Foundation retains permanent assets: stabilized access roads, secure visitor infrastructure, electric vehicles for internal mobility, a fully equipped library and educational spaces, digital tools for access and interpretation, ecological management equipment and a regenerated historic garden area of approximately one hectare.

This recovery project enables Torrecchia Vecchia to move from a fragile, partially inaccessible site to a stable, manageable and transmissible cultural landscape, capable of hosting visitors, research and educational activities under controlled and sustainable conditions.

The project was made possible thanks to the Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR), financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Regione Lazio, whose contribution was essential to securing the long-term preservation and public accessibility of this exceptional site.

Santa Maria di Torrecchia Chapel – Recovery Project

PNRR M1C3 – Intervention 2.2
Protection and Enhancement of Rural Architecture and Landscape
Site: Cappella di Santa Maria di Torrecchia

‍The project concerns the conservative restoration and functional recovery of the Santa Maria di Torrecchia Chapel, a small rural religious structure located at the foot of the medieval castle within the Torrecchia Vecchia Natural Monument.Originally carved into the tuff stone of the castle’s outer walls and later partially rebuilt in masonry, the chapel dates back to the early 17th century and served as a parish church for the workers living on the estate. Despite its historical and cultural value, the structure has been in a state of advanced fragility for many years. Academic studies conducted since 2008 identified structural deterioration caused by invasive vegetation and root systems, compounded by the interruption of conservation works after 2008. The chapel and its immediate surroundings were progressively abandoned and became inaccessible.

The intervention is part of a PNRR “project of scope”, coordinated with other restoration and landscape actions within the Torrecchia estate. Its objective is to stabilize the existing ruins, remove invasive vegetation, consolidate the masonry and reintroduce the chapel into the public and cultural life of the site.The project adopts a conservative and reversible approach.

The original walls are preserved and reinforced, while a lightweight wrought-iron structure outlines the former volume of the chapel without reconstructing it. A vegetated internal pergola evokes the original barrel vault, creating a “green chapel” that integrates architecture and landscape. The surrounding area is repaved in tuff, furnished for resting and contemplation, and connected to the main visitor paths through a new access route.The chapel is not intended for commercial use. It functions as a small gathering space for educational activities, guided visits, lectures and cultural events, fully consistent with the rural and environmental character of the estate.

From an environmental perspective, the project relies on local, compatible materials (tuff, pozzolana, wrought iron) and is energetically autonomous. Through a partnership with the agricultural company Demetrius, green waste generated on site is reused in a biomass cogeneration system, providing electricity and returning biochar to the soil as a natural amendment.By restoring a fragile rural religious structure and assigning it a controlled public function, the project strengthens the coherence of the Torrecchia Vecchia site, improves visitor accessibility and contributes to the long-term preservation of both architectural heritage and landscape values.

The intervention is financed under the Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR), funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Regione Lazio, whose contribution enabled the recovery of this historically and environmentally significant rural asset.

PNRR M1C3 – Intervention 2.2
Protection and Enhancement of Rural Architecture and Landscape
Site: Network of tunnels and caves, Torrecchia Vecchia

This project concerns the recovery and safe reopening of a network of historic tunnels and caves carved into the volcanic tuff beneath Torrecchia Vecchia. These underground structures are classified as rural architecture and are officially recognised as point assets of archaeological and historical value within the Regional Landscape Plan (PTPR).

The tunnels date back to ancient and medieval phases of the site and were reused in the 20th century as shelters by the local population during the Second World War. Despite their historical relevance, most of the network has long been inaccessible due to collapses, landslides and heavy vegetation growth, which concealed entrances and made the interiors unsafe.The intervention forms part of a broader PNRR project cluster for Torrecchia Vecchia and addresses a clear conservation and accessibility gap within the site.

The works focus on reopening and securing selected sections of the underground network, without altering their original structure. Planned actions include clearing vegetation at the entrances, stabilising tunnel walls and vaults, removing accumulated soil, securing internal routes and installing low-impact electrical lighting. Some caves will be made accessible internally, while others will remain viewable only from the outside for safety reasons. New external paths will connect the various access points, allowing visitors to understand the system without relying solely on underground circulation.The objective is twofold.

First, to preserve and stabilise a fragile rural and archaeological heritage, preventing further collapse and loss. Second, to integrate the tunnels into the cultural interpretation of Torrecchia Vecchia, through guided historical visits focused on their military, social and geological significance.All works rely on local and compatible materials (tuff and pozzolana) and follow a minimum-impact approach. Energy needs for lighting are negligible and covered within the wider site strategy, supported by a biomass cogeneration system operated by the agricultural partner Demetrius, ensuring environmental sustainability.

At completion, the project delivers a secured and interpretable underground heritage asset, previously inaccessible, now integrated into the broader visitor and educational framework of Torrecchia Vecchia. It strengthens the site’s historical narrative, expands the visitor route and contributes to the long-term conservation of an overlooked component of the rural landscape.

The intervention is financed under the Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR), funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Regione Lazio, enabling the protection and transmission of this unique underground heritage.