The medieval village of Torri Superiore [XIII century] is a little jewel of popular architecture situated in the Ligurian hinterland, near Ventimiglia [county of Imperia], a few kilometres from the Mediterranean sea and the French border. Its complex and fascinating structure is developed on eight levels, with three main buildings separated by two partially covered inner alleys.



Torri Superiore has been called by some a labyrinth or a fortress, and offers a remarkable interest for its compactness and its state of preservation. Today it is mostly restored and open to ecologically minded visitors for cultural initiatives and group activities.



The resident community has 16 members, including a few children. The residents take care of the cultural and social initiatives, of the building sites for restoration of the village, and of organic farming programmes and permaculture [small scale production of olive oil, vegetables and fruit for self-consumption]. The community meets once a week and adopts a consensus decision-making policy.



Torri Superiore offers courses and practical workshops on topics related to sustainability, communal living, manual work, care of the persons and of the environment. Since year 2000 Torri Superiore offers courses on Permaculture Design according to the standard 72 hours module. Torri Superiore studies and applies permaculture principles in the developments of the ecovillage project; it is a founding member of the Italian Permaculture Academy, of which for years held the secretariat office.