Praiano

Praiano
Comune
Comune di Praiano

The "Vettica Maggiore" frazione of Praiano.

Coat of arms
Praiano

Location of Praiano in Italy

Coordinates: 40°37′N 14°32′E / 40.617°N 14.533°E / 40.617; 14.533Coordinates: 40°37′N 14°32′E / 40.617°N 14.533°E / 40.617; 14.533
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 1,000/km2 (2,700/sq mi)
Demonym(s) 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.

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.

Attractions

One popular attraction is the Church of San Luca Evangelista,[4] dating back to 1123. On the inside, there are paintings by Renaissance painter Giovanni Bernardo Lama dating to the 16th century. Another attraction is the Church of San Giovanni Battista, featuring a well-preserved maiolica tiled floor, dating back to the 12th-13th centuries.[5]

Gallery

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "Costiera Amalfitana". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  2. ↑ "History of Praiano". praiano.it. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  3. ↑ "Town of Praiano". AmalfisCoast.com. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "San Luca Church in Praiano". amalfi-coast.com. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  5. ↑ "Praiano". amalficoast.com. Retrieved 8 April 2011.

See also

External links

Media related to Praiano at Wikimedia Commons

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