The Turret or “The Tower” as it is know by on the antique maps of the Nolan Campagna, stands on the slopes of the hill of Castelcicala and has belonged to my family since 1719, when my ancestor Fabrizio Ruffo, bought the estate which also included the Castle.

Clicca per vedere la galleria fotografica dell'agriturismo la torretta

   “The Tower”, built with the typical stones of the area, around 1400, was the most important, avant-garde defence point beyond the lay out of Castelcicala’s mediaeval walls. Today following conservation work, desired and supervised by myself, the Turret has become a country side restaurant “agritourism” immersed among the secular olive trees, where it is possible to taste the local delicacies from the school of Rupert da Nola, and genuine, typical, regional food.

   The Torretta is run with love and care by myself and my wife Barbara; this little corner of paradise is and ideal place to book a romantic dinner for two, a business lunch or dinner or somewhere to stop off at on a sightseeing tour. It is also somewhere to meet with your friends for a party around the barbecue.

Giordano Bruno the great Nolan philosopher, and traveller, who born on this hill, describes this place in “L’immenso e gli innumerevoli” as such :

   “When I was a little boy, oh sweet mountain of Cicala, and your sweet bosom nourished my young flesh, I was attracted, I remember, by your sacred image. You where wrapped in ivy, covered in olive branches, cornel, laurel, myrtle and rosemary..; and while your rough hand to the tender lay the grapes, with your forefinger pointed, said to me “ Look South, look to that part my brother Vesuvius. He too, my brother, loves you. Do you believe him?”

   As then, it is now, around the torretta, you can still find perfumed essences and the view which stretches towards Vesuvius, which maintains all its beauty and sense of vastness, without ever changing.

Gherardo Sallier de La Tour
dei Principi di Castelcicala