Toracco District

Just before the Oratory you can see a porticoed 'caruggio’ or narrow road. From here you enter the Toracco district, the oldest part of the village! The Torracchi were single-family homes with a tall, fortified structure, also designed for defensive purposes. Indeed, throughout the district you can still see the massive stone foundations of these defensive buildings, often constructed in a spontaneous, irregular way.The street leads to the Giaire Gate, dating back to the 13th century, which faces the imposing bridge over the Varatella river. This bridge was once an essential passageway to the most fertile part of the valley, where vineyards, vegetable gardens, and hemp fields were cultivated.Via Torracco then becomes Via Baccio Emanuele Maineri. It is named after a Toirano writer and patriot born in this street. Some of his personal items are on display in the Ethnographic Museum in Palazzo D'Aste.After exploring the Toracco district, you can return to Via Parodi to reach either Piazza della Libertà or Piazza San Martino.