General information
Province: Salerno
Praiano is set like a diamond in an
enchanting location, nestled among the beautiful inlets of the
breathtaking Amalfi coast, seven kilometers from Positano and six
kilometers from Amalfi.
The coastal watch towers, dramatic symbols of the past, are the
characteristic of Praiano, one of the most famous resorts of the
Amalfi coast. It is a favourite destination for visitors who love to
enjoy nature in all its original splendor.
Historical
outlines:
In the Middle Ages Praiano was one of the small hamlets of the
ancient Amalfitan Republic. The town at the time was composed of two
populated areas: Praiano’s hamlet high up the mountain and Vettica
Maggiore towards the sea. Consequently, the working activities were
different, and often working what Mother Nature offered them. So
there were farmers on the mountain and fishermen on the sea side.
According to history, development of Praiano as a town precedes the
amalfitan republic. Leopoldo Cassese wrote: “It is well-known that
due to the beautiful climate and the delightful views it was the
most important location on the coast, since the first century, and
were full of sprawling villas and emperors properties, this probably
means that these locations were part of emperor conquests. We
suppose that the refugees after the Pliniana eruption of 79 A.D.
after Jesus asked for protection from the owners of these villas”.
Praiano’s original name was Pelagianum that means open sea, then
changed to Plagianum and then eventually to Praiano.(According to
Professor Giuseppe Gargano this gives an idea of the villages’
antiquity). In 1278 under Carlo I° di Angiņ (in Praiano) the Torre
Assiola was built which was near a berth for the maritime commerce
called “the Scaricaturo”. In 700 in town there was the production of
“filo torto” which was part of the linen industry. Praiano’s women
helped the family economy, in fact they took animals to graze when
it was good weather and when it rained they were busy with
production of hair nets and other products related to “filo torto”.
Later this production become a real job for them and with a part of
their profits they built an altar in 1905 dedicated to St. Gennaro
Martyr and for the church of St. Luca small statues representing the
Nativity scene which unfortunately were stolen in the 60’s.
To visit:
Both
historically and architecturally, the most important building today
in Praiano is the Church of Saint Luke the Evangelist, which also
holds this saint's remains. The Church boasts fine paintings by
Giovanni Bernardo Lama (including the Madonna with Child) and a
silver bust of the saint, dated 1694. |