Pruno (Cilento)

Pruno [Name meaning the fruit of prunus tree in cilentan dialect, whom is "prugna" in italian] is a forest area of southern Italy and it is the biggest one in the middle of Cilento. The hamlets ("frazioni") with this name are situated in the municipalities of Valle dell'Angelo and Laurino, and it also exists a locality named Pruno in Piaggine.
Pruno represents one of the most unpolluted natural areas of Campania and also one of the lesser inhabited territories of Southern Italy.

History

The area of Pruno is inhabited by centuries from farmers. It had two periods of emigration during the end of 19th century and the second half of 20th.

Geography

Pruno is situated in south of the Province of Salerno, in the National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano. The forest is located between Gelbison and Cervati mounts, in an height between 600 and 1,300 AMSL. The area is extended not only in the "comunes" of Valle dell'Angelo, Laurino and Piaggine; but also in Cannalonga, Campora, Rofrano, Sanza, Novi Velia and Monte San Giacomo. The mountains of the areas are Vesalo, Monaco, Faiatella, Scanno del Tesoro, Raia del Pedale and Tuzzi di Monte Piano. There are also the springs of Calore river, and some caves with prehistorical engravings.
The middle of the area is known as "Croce di Pruno" (Cross of Pruno), a crossroad between the provincial road Piaggine-Rofrano (one of two completely covered with asphalt) and some trails, as the "Inghiottitoio" (Swallow), to Laurino (also covered with asphalt). Major plains are the "Piana" of Roti and Campolongo.

Rural village

Population in the villages of Pruno amounts almost in 40 inhabitants:
Pruno di Valle dell'Angelo is a rural village, one of the last in Europe. It is located in a detour of Piaggine-Rofrano road, on a trail under a canyon named Raia di San Bartolomeo. It is composed of circa 10 farmhouses and populated by 12-15 ancient people, with a rhythm of life similar to the one of 19th century [it [http://www.comune.valledellangelo.sa.it/subcat.asp?subareeID=49 Info on web page of Valle dell'Angelo] ] , where electrical energy was fasted only in 1992. The community, impronted into animal husbandry and agriculture, is "de facto" autonomous and the village is indicated as a point of touristic interest.

Pruno di Laurino is situated along the Piaggine-Rofrano road, in south of the "Croce di Pruno". It is composed by an extended group of circa 10-12 scattered farmhouses and populated by 20 people. Nearby the village there is a canyon with some little caves (Grotte di Sant'Elena) and the village was interested by the phenomena of "Brigantaggio" [it [http://www.comune.laurino.sa.it/contenuti.asp?contenutiID=38 Historical info on web page of Laurino] ] in the first half of 19th century. It was in fact the headquarters for a band of brigands guided by Giuseppe Tardio [it [http://www.brigantaggio.net/Brigantaggio/Briganti/Tardio.htm Schedule about Giuseppe Tardio on brigantaggio.net] ] .

Pruno di Piaggine is a little locality on the provincial road to Rofrano, situated nearby the "Piana of Roti". It is composed by some scattered farmhouses and the population amounts of 5-7 inhabitants.

Photogallery

Farmhouse in Pruno di
Valle dell'Angelo


Farmhouse in Pruno di Laurino


Farmhouse in Pruno di Piaggine


Forest area in
Croce di Pruno


Sunset on the road
upon Mount Vesalo


Green plain on the road
upon Monte Vesalo


Piana di Roti


A wood nearby
Piana di Campolongo

References

ee also

External links

*it [http://www.tempadelfico.com/ Bioethics and ecology in Pruno]
*it [http://www.ecoturismocmcalore.it/00/c_val/00_1.php?id4=nat&con=val&lang=ita# Ecotourism in Valle dell'Angelo and Pruno]
*it [http://www.ecoturismocmcalore.it/00/c_lau/00_1.php?id4=nat&con=lau&lang=ita Ecotourism in Laurino and Pruno]
*it [http://www.valledellangelo.com/index.php?&set=223&dom_id=&dom_sld=valledellangelo&dom_tld=com&no_tags=1&sito_gratis=&sito=&local_page=info7 Photos and infos about Pruno]
*it [http://www.comune.valledellangelo.sa.it/ Comune of Valle dell'Angelo]
*it [http://www.comune.laurino.sa.it/ Comune of Laurino]
*it [http://www.comune.piaggine.sa.it/ Comune of Piaggine]