Perched on a rocky spur, Tufara dominates the Fortore valley, offering a suggestive panorama with its castle and bell tower overlooking the town. This border village, near Campania and Puglia, preserves ancient traditions that culminate in the Carnival, when figures of devils run through the streets amidst din and fear. The origins of the town date back to the 10th century, and the name derives from the tuff rock on which it stands. Cited in the Angevin registers of 1320 as “Topharia”, it was a fiefdom of noble families such as the Marzano, the Gambatesa, the Carafa and the Ruffo, up to the last owner, Francesco Pignatelli. The historical importance of Tufara is attested by the discovery, in the 1980s, of 158 silver coins. In 2003, a flood brought to light the remains of a Roman bridge along the Fortore River, which unfortunately later collapsed, but which could suggest new hypotheses on the ancient road system of central-southern Italy.
The most imposing monument is the Lombard Castle, with its solid square-plan structure. Also of great historical and artistic interest is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, built in 1170. It has a Romanesque layout with Gothic and Baroque interventions. Inside, with three naves, there are eighteenth-century stuccoes, a magnificent altar and the relic of the Blessed Saint John, kept in a wall cupboard. Also notable is the white stone baptismal font, where the Blessed was baptized.
A short distance away is the Chapel of the Madonna del Carmine, consecrated in 1720 at the foot of the castle. It houses a precious panel depicting the Madonna with Child, attributed to “lo Zingaro”, a Neapolitan painter of the fifteenth century. In the adjacent square there is a magnificent fountain.
For nature lovers, the Bosco delle Pianelle offers rare tree species and suggestive landscapes, with areas equipped for tourism. Also important are the archaeological sites, including that of the silver coins and the remains of the Roman bridge.
Local traditions are expressed in the livestock fairs and in the Spaghetti Festival, organized on August 23. However, the most characteristic event is Carnival, with the figure of the “Diavolo di Tufara”, while at Easter the “Quarantane” are still made, rag dolls to count the days of Lent. In the gastronomic field, in addition to spaghetti, cavatelli are typical, a symbolic dish of the local tradition.