Praiano

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Praiano
Comune
Comune di Praiano
The "Vettica Maggiore" frazione of Praiano.
The "Vettica Maggiore" frazione of Praiano.
Coat of arms of Praiano
Coat of arms
Praiano is located in Italy
Praiano
Praiano
Location of Praiano in Italy
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Country Italy
Region Campania
Province / Metropolitan city 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

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See also

External links

Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons