Montesano sulla Marcellana

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Montesano sulla Marcellana
Comune di Montesano sulla Marcellana
Panoramic view
Panoramic view
Coat of arms of Montesano sulla Marcellana
Montesano within the Province of Salerno
Montesano within the Province of Salerno
Location of Montesano sulla Marcellana
Map
St. Nicholas of Bari
WebsiteOfficial website

Montesano sulla Marcellana (colloquially named Montesano) is a town and comune of the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-west Italy.

Etymology

It is said that the inhabitants of "Marcellinum", the lower area of the current town, went over the hill to escape from the unhealthy air caused by marshes and plague. The new town, founded around the year 1000, was therefore called "Montesano", namely "healthy mountain", to underline the healthiness of its air and water sources. The toponym "sulla Marcellana" ("over Marcellana") results from the original place "Marcellinum".

Geography

Located in the south of

Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park
.

The municipality borders with Buonabitacolo, Casalbuono, Grumento Nova, Lagonegro, Moliterno, Padula, Sanza and Tramutola.[3] It counts the hamlets (frazioni) of Arenabianca, Cessuta, Magorno, Montesano Scalo, Prato Comune and Tardiano.

Natural areas

The vast municipal territory is made up of valleys, hills, and mountains. "Cerreta-Cognola" regional park is a wonderful green oasis which hosts a large wood of centuries-old trees. Indeed, Montesano boasts 4000 hectares of forest area, one of the largest in Vallo di Diano. Located between Montesano Scalo, Buonabitacolo, Casalbuono and Sanza, the park houses various wild animal species which are almost disappeared, such as wild boars, fallow deer, roe deer and mouflons.

Climate

Montesano presents a warm temperate climate, humid in the lower area and dry in the upper area. It is characterised by short winters with low temperatures in the highland area and by warm summers.

Main sights

The main sights of the town include various churches and monasteries, such as: Santa Maria of Cadossa Abbey, ex Capuchin monastery, Santa Maria of Loreto church, etc. One of the most impressive church is Sant’Anna church, a majestic neo-gothic building located in the main square of the town. It was built between 1954 and 1959 at the behest of Filippo Gagliardi (Montesano sulla Marcellana, 25 February 1912 – Roma, 15 January 1968), an inhabitant of Montesano who left his native place in search of fortune in Venezuela. After he prospered and became rich, he came back to Montesano to help poor people by giving them money and houses.

Economy

The economy is primarily based on agriculture and handicraft. Livestock farming allows the production of meat and milk. In the town, there is also a factory for the bottling of mineral water.

Twin towns

  • Villa Mercedes
    , Argentina

See also

References

  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. Istat
    2011
  3. ^ 40356 (x a j h) Montesano sulla Marcellana on OpenStreetMap

External links

Media related to Montesano sulla Marcellana at Wikimedia Commons