The town of Torchiarolo, situated just 5 kms inland from any of our seaside holiday Villas, is the administrative seat of the Comune of Torchiarolo which also administers the seaside villages of Torre San Gennaro and Lendinuso.
The extensive Roman ruins of a large country manor is situated at “Valesio” on the outskirts of the town, as well as foundations and lower walls of this Roman Villa and the attached farming compound buildings, it is also possible to see remnants of its central heating system of the underfloor hypocaust.
It is a “working” Italian town and with a population of approx six thousand, has all the amenities that one would expect in a town of its size.
It has several Piazzas, the Piazza del Castello being the heart of the town and contains the small 16th century Castle which today comprises offices and private accommodation, the thoroughfare Via Umberto that bisects the piazza, also connects the two churches and passes by the Castle Bar.
There is a tobacconists in the Piazza that sells postcards &stamps etc.
Hairdressers, butchers and numerous other small shops line Via Umberto, as well as the Bank that has a 24 hour ATM machine.
Further down there is the I’Incontro restaurant/pizzeria, Ristorant Gio Stef ( excellent seafood), more cafes and many more shops running up to Via Brindisi where there is the supermarket Super Brio, near the Brindisi road roundabout close to the SuperStrada exit. The towns Post Office is located on Via Brindisi along with an excellent fishmonger “Blu Mare” just at the bottom of the street.
The local bank is Banca Populare Pugliese on Via Umberto.
One of the best coffees to be had locally is to be enjoyed at “The Best Bar” near the end of Via Brindisi and is close to the beauty and leisure centre of “Luce del Sol” and the massage and beauty parlour beside the “Bazaar”.
The big Supermarket “CONAD” is to be found behind the Fiorentinas cafe on via Corsa, the “DIMEGLIO” supermarket is on Via Roma, and the “BRIO” supermarket is on via Brindisi by the roundabout near the Superstrada. All the supermarkets have great meat counters as they are sub-let out to local butchers and the meat is cut fresh with home made sausages etc.
Torchiarolo is famous for its furniture shops and a browse through several of them is an interesting diversion just to see the beautiful ranges of unusual pieces and contemporary styles, Miorenttinos, Contes and Antonios are just a few.
A farmers market is held every Friday morning with stalls creaking under the weight of locally grown fruit and vegetables in season. Torchiarolo is studded with all manner of shops throughout its network of streets, nine different bakeries make fresh breads, pastries, biscuits and foccaccia early each morning.
Nonna Lisa is a wonderful restaurant & Pizzeria with traditional wood ovens. It has beautiful stone vaulted ceilings and stone floored dining areas within and a flagged rooftop terrace for enjoying the cuisine al fresco under the shaded cover of a traditional timber coperto.
Masseria Pisciani situated just a couple of kms outside the town is a dining experience all of its own. Try the Antipasta Terra e Mare, but don’t order a main course until you have finished… as you may not even start it after the antipasta.
Torchiarolo has everything that is required for your holiday needs, and being so conveniently situated close to our Villas it makes travel unnecessary to the large hypermarkets further afield.