Praiano
| Praiano | |||
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| — Comune — | |||
| Comune di Praiano | |||
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 Praiano
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| Coordinates: 40°37′N 14°32′E / 40.617°N 14.533°ECoordinates: 40°37′N 14°32′E / 40.617°N 14.533°E | |||
| Country | Italy | ||
| Region | Campania | ||
| Province | Salerno (SA) | ||
| Frazioni | Vettica Maggiore | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Di Martino Giovanni (Lista Civica) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2009) | |||
| • Total | 2,069 | ||
| • Density | 1,034.5/km2 (2,679.3/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym | Praianesi | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postal code | 84010 | ||
| Dialing code | 089 | ||
| Patron saint | San Gennaro and San Luca | ||
| Saint day | 19 September and 18 October | ||
| Website | Official website | ||
Praiano is a town and comune of the province of Salerno in the Campania region of southwest Italy. It is situated on the Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana), a prime tourist location for the region and Italy alike, between the towns of Amalfi and Positano.
In 1997, the Amalfi Coast, including Praiano's "Vettica Maggiore" frazione was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.[1] As of December 1, 2009, the town's population constitutes 2,069 inhabitants.
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[edit] History
The town's name derives from the praia, or beach, from the Latin word pelagium, meaning "open sea."[2] During the 10th-11th centuries, Praiano was once the summer residence of the doges of the Duchy of Amalfi.[3]
During the Angevin period, a fortified tower, the Assiola, was constructed to defend the town. Praiano had an important local silk industry, however, it disappeared during the 19th century. With the discovery of corals in the vicinity around the 1800s, Praiano's economy was revitalized, mainly focusing on the fishing and tourism industries ever since.
[edit] Attractions
One of the popular attractions of the town is the Green Grotto, or the "Grotto Esmerelda." Although not nearly as famous as the Blue Grotto of the island of Capri, the Green Grotto, as the name would suggest, features a green light reflection inside the grotto pool.
Another popular attraction is the Church of San Luca Evangelico, dating back to 1123. One of the town's two patron saints, San Luca is buried here.[3] On the inside, there are paintings by Renaissance painter Giovanni Bernardo Lama dating to the 16th century.[3] The church's rectory, built in 1552, features a local museum. Another attraction is the Church of San Giovanni Battista, featuring a well-preserved maiolica tiled floor, dating back to the 12th-13th centuries.[4]
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ "Costiera Amalfitana". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/830. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ^ "History of Praiano". praiano.it. http://www.praiano.it/english/history.htm. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ^ a b c "Town of Praiano". AmalfisCoast.com. http://www.amalfiscoast.com/inglese/town/praiano.htm. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ^ "Praiano". amalficoast.com. http://www.amalficoast.com/paesi/praiano-9.aspx. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
Media related to Praiano at Wikimedia Commons
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