| The medieval village of Torri Superiore is situated in the Ligurian hinterland, close to the town of Ventimiglia (11 km away). Torri Superiore is an ecovillage and a member of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN).
The village was abandoned by all original inhabitants, and progressively restored over the last 20 years by a community of Italians and Germans. The village is made of 160 rooms, all built in local stone and lime, which still feature the traditional arches and vaults.
The cultural association that has developed the project since 1989 is formed also by non-residents and owns about 50 percent of the village, while the other 50 percent is individually owned by the members. Only members of the association are entitled to buy property in Torri Superiore.
The restoration of the buildings respects the original characters of the beautiful hamlet while using ecological materials and appropriate technologies whenever possible. Courses and educational activities range from permaculture design to facilitation, consensus decision making, ecovillage creation, pottery, and creative cuisine. Organic agriculture activities focus mainly on olive oil production and vegetable gardens to supply the community centre.
The proximity to the beautiful river and the sea, the easily accessible walks on the surrounding mountains, and the mild climate make Torri Superiore an attractive location for ecologically sensitive people who appreciate the informal, friendly style of the group. | Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses) |
| Former/Other Names: Associazione Culturale Torri Superiore This page last updated:12/3/2008 Visitors Accepted (We run a small, fully featured eco-guesthouse, with single and double rooms, and an organic restaurant.) Visitor Process: Contact us by email or phone, and book accommodation at our ecological guesthouse. Full work exchange volunteers are accepted in the summer (a maximum of two at a time sleep in tents) to help us with the guesthouse; working guests are always welcome (pay Euro 15/day and work part time). Check our website calendar for current activities. Network Affiliations: GEN-Europe Global Ecovillage network :: RIVE Rete Italiana Villaggi Ecologici |
Population Members(adults and children): 21 | Government Decision Making: By consensus (Qualified majority is used at the annual meeting of the Association) Leadership Core Group: Yes | Labor and Money Financial Style: Partial income sharing Labor Contribution: Expected (All residents serve a minimum of 6 to 10 hours per week) Regular Fees: Yes (A monthly fee is requested to cover food and accommodation costs) | Land and Buildings Rural Area: 4.9 acres (2.0 hectares) Land Owned By: A subgroup of community members Number of Residences: 22 (22 individual apartments and a very large community / cultural centre - about 50% of the village) Cohousing: Yes (50% of the village is in common, 50% is divided in small private apartments) | Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 21-50% Share Community Meals: Nearly all meals Dietary Choice or Restrictions: We all share a common diet (Mediterranean and oriental, little meat, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, mostly organic) Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Used Often (Wine is served only at dinner (evening meal)) Tobacco Use: Used Occasionally (Smoking is allowed only outdoors) | Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No Educational Style(s): Public schooled | |
