Palinuro

Palinuro is a little town, the largest hamlet ("frazione") of Centola (SA), in Campania region (Italy). The name of the town is tied-up to Palinurus, the mythologic helmsman of Aeneas, present in 5th and 6th book of Aeneid.

History

The origin of the name derives from Palinurus, whom in Roman mythology is the helmsman of a ship of the adventurer Aeneas.

Geography

Palinuro lies on the southern side of Cilento, by Tyrrhenian Sea and in the northern part of Cape Palinuro. The town, situated by the mouths of Lambro and Mingardo rivers, is also the port of its "comune". It is 7 km from Centola, 8 from Marina di Camerota, 10 from Pisciotta and 80 from Salerno.
The nearest railway station, Pisciotta-Palinuro (on Naples-Reggio Calabria line) is located 8 km to the north and is linked by buses

Tourism

Palinuro is a part of "Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park", which natural environment is composed of "Maquis", typical of Mediterranean countries. It is strongly receptive for tourism, especially on summer, due to the quality of its water; which give it the Blue Flag beach [ [http://www.blueflag.org/blueflag/2007/Italy/Campania/Buon%20Dormire Blueflag.org] ] almost every year in last "decade".
The town is also famous for its caves located by the coast [ [http://www.palinuroculturaevacanze.it/natura/grotte_palinuro.php, Caves of Palinuro] ] , appreciated for excursions especially by frogmen.

References

See also

* Cape Palinuro
* Centola
* Cilento
* Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park
* Palinurus
* Palinurus (genus)

External links

* [http://www.palinuroculturaevacanze.it/ Palinuro (website)] (IT)
* [http://www.comune.centola.sa.it/ Municipality of Centola] (IT)
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/consiglio/2918469824/ Palinuro boat]