Within the Torrecchia Vecchia estate lies one of the most important gardens in Europe, as documented by numerous publications.

Until recent times deliberately kept hidden by the family, the garden is now progressively opening to the public through guided visits.

Beyond the historic garden surrounding the castle, the Torrecchia Vecchia estate encompasses such a diversity of habitats and such a level of archaeological and ecological biodiversity as to enable the development of unprecedented visitor projects.

Indeed, since 2007, with the establishment of the “Natural Monument” (with the contribution of WWF), Torrecchia has become part of internationally protected areas (EEA, UNEP, IUCN).

The objective of the integrated site project is to offer the public a differentiated visitor experience that brings together the main points of interest of the Natural Monument through a series of restoration and enhancement interventions:

- The restoration and extension of the English landscape garden.

- The conservative restoration of the ruins of the chapel of St. Mary of Torrecchia and its functional reuse.

- The regeneration of the Torrecchia pond area and the network of tunnels and caves carved into the tuff.

- The recovery of the former composting areas and their transformation into water basins with plant species supporting the abundant local fauna and enhancing biodiversity.

- The reopening of ancient forest paths for immersive walks in nature.

- The integration and regeneration of the estate’s arboreal component, including reforestation and the planting of fruit trees.

Three stakeholders operating within the Torrecchia Vecchia estate have taken part in the integrated site project, with the objective of fully leveraging collaborative synergies and maximizing impact:

- Fondazione Torrecchia Vecchia, managing body of the Natural Monument.

- Demetrius Srl, the agricultural company owning the farmland.
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- Carlo Revelli Caracciolo, owner of some of the estate’s built structures.

Starting in 2022, the three stakeholders launched a series of projects and actions, now largely completed, aimed at achieving the objectives of the integrated site project, also making use of public funding.

The proposed projects were in fact deemed consistent with the main development guidelines of the European Union.

PNRR GRANTS

Within the Torrecchia Vecchia estate, four projects have been carried out, financed by European Union funds under the PNRR framework.

1) PNRR, Mission 1 – PNRR - M1C3 - Investment 2.3 – Programmes to enhance local identity: historic parks and gardens, financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU  CUP B51G22000020004  “Torrecchia Gardens Restoration Project”

Implementing body: Fondazione Torrecchia VecchiaThe Torrecchia Vecchia
Garden can be visited by reservation using this link

2) Restoration of the Chapel of Santa Maria di Torrecchia  PNRR – M1 C3 – Intervention 2.2  Protection and enhancement of rural architecture and landscape  CUP F59F22000330004
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‍Implementing body: Fondazione Torrecchia Vecchia
The Chapel of Santa Maria di Torrecchia can be visited by reservation using this link

3) Restoration of the former composting areas within the Torrecchia Vecchia estate  PNRR – M1 C3 – Intervention 2.2  Protection and enhancement of rural architecture and landscape  CUP F39F22000600004  

‍Implementing body: Demetrius Società Agricola
The former composting areas can be visited by contacting contact@torrecchia.com

4) Restoration and enhancement of the network of tunnels and caves of Torrecchia Vecchia  PNRR – M1 C3 – Intervention 2.2  Protection and enhancement of rural architecture and landscape  CUP F89F22000680004 

Implementing body: Dr. Carlo Revelli Caracciolo
The cave area can be visited by contacting contact@torrecchia.com