Gruppo TORELLA

We have chosen these assets because they constitute the iconographic identity of the country. Economic and cultural splendors experienced by the people of Torella in past centuries. It is as if they were logos, unique images, a powerful communication tool that shows lived values as something invariable, coherent and controlled. The three coats of arms are placed in the atrium of the Ruspoli castle in Torella dei Lombardi.

RUSPOLI COAT OF ARMS (17th century): Stone coat of arms, composed of a mantle whose upper corners are tied by two ropes. Above the crown and the head of an elephant in profile, their additional emblem depicts the crest (the upper part) with the elephant suggests that this was done for the birth of a male heir as a symbol of authority and fertility It measures 163 cm high by 116 cm wide CARACCIOLO EMBLEM (1700): Marble emblem shown by two naked boys, under the head of an angel, above two crossed keys and a crown. On this coat of arms there are some symbols of Christianity, the keys of heaven and earth and papal anhydride in all the rich families of the time there was an exponent of the Church probably this coat of arms I had Gian Michele Saraceno made who was at the side of the Pope during the council of Trento. It measures 165 cm high by 87 cm wide. SARACEN COAT OF ARMS (1500): Stone coat of arms with towers, rampant lions, eagles and crosses; above the coat of arms three heads of armor of which the central one holds a crown on the head. In this coat of arms some key elements are missing, however we can see a Byzantine cross (Christian Family) the griffins (symbol of authority) the towers (possessions of the feudal lord), the ornaments on the armor, on the other hand, recall Spanish art (in Madrid it is preserved an identical coat of arms hypothetically made during the Aragonese period). It is assumed that this coat of arms was made as a gift or was taken during a trip. It measures 172 cm high by 103 cm wide.

Unknown for all coats of arms

Caracciolo coat of arms: 1700 . Saracen coat of arms: 1500 Ruspoli coat of arms: it is not possible to make a certain date - XVII century

The three coats of arms are located in the atrium of the Ruspoli castle in Torella Dei Lombardi

Property of the Municipality of Torella dei Lombardi

They are quite well preserved and need a thorough cleaning

In the atrium of the castle there were 6 stone coats of arms 3 of which were probably stolen. Among the coats of arms of Torella dei Lombardi the figure of the BULL appears recurrent, as well as among the innumerable oral legends, there are numerous those that refer to the bull or the ox (symbolic animals in our culture), but there is one specifically, namely that of RE BOVE, which is worth summing up. A recidivist sinner, the ruler fell madly in love with a girl who unfortunately was part of his own family. But the king, stubborn as he was, married her anyway and consequently the people forced him to ask the pope for absolution, given the incestuous relationship with the girl. To punish him, the pontiff ordered him to build a hundred churches in one night and for this reason the king turned to the devil, who in exchange for his soul, helped him with the construction of the temples. As dawn approached, however, the king repented of his actions and presented his repentance to God. At that point, Beelzebub's anger struck him and made the last piece of the last church fall on him. reason remained unfinished. In conclusion, all the surviving churches, while identifiable, all have an ox carved somewhere.