Alfano is a village and small comune in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy. As of December 31, 2012, the comune had a population of 1082.[3]

Alfano
Comune di Alfano
Coat of arms of Alfano
Alfano within the Province of Salerno
Alfano within the Province of Salerno
Location of Alfano
Map
Alfano is located in Italy
Alfano
Alfano
Location of Alfano in Italy
Alfano is located in Campania
Alfano
Alfano
Alfano (Campania)
Coordinates: 40°11′N 15°25′E / 40.183°N 15.417°E / 40.183; 15.417
CountryItaly
RegionCampania
ProvinceSalerno (SA)
Government
 • MayorAmelia Viterale (Lista Civica)
Area
 • Total4 km2 (2 sq mi)
Elevation
250 m (820 ft)
Population
 (1 December 2012)[2]
 • Total1,082
 • Density270/km2 (700/sq mi)
DemonymAlfanesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
84040
Dialing code0974
Patron saintSophia of Rome and Matthew the Evangelist
Saint dayDecember 6 (Saint Nicholas)
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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There is little reliable evidence on the ancient history of Alfano. However, according to tradition, a large city existed on the slopes of Mount Centaurino, near the present frazione of Roccagloriosa. This would have been destroyed in a catastrophic earthquake, if it had existed.[4]

In 1496 the town was given to the Neapolitan noble Giovanni Carafa, Duke of Paliano.

Geography

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Alfano has borders with the municipalities of Laurito, Roccagloriosa and Rofrano.

Main sights

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The main church in Alfano is the Church of Saint Nicholas. The baronial Novelli Palace dates back to the 18th century. It has a grand entrance of stone, leading to a hall. For some time, Novelli Palace served as the Town Hall of Alfano.

Palazzo dei Baroni Speranza, another palace, belonged to the Baron Speranza di Laurito. This palace, a large building complex elevated above the town,[5] contains a central courtyard.

Economy

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The commune is a renowned producer of wine, despite the soils being amongst the poorest in the country due to the harsh, dry climate of the territory. Local grape varieties were introduced to Elea and Paestum by ancient Greek colonists and adapted to grow in clay-calcareous soils and the climate of the area.

The Cilento brand of wine was established on May 3, 1989, and is produced in three varieties.[6] Paying homage the Ancient Greek colonists in Paestum and the viniculture experienced there, on November 22, 1995, the brand of wine Paestum went into production.

References

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  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ Dati Istat - Popolazione residente all'1/3/2009
  4. ^ "Storia" (in Italian). comune.alfano.sa.it. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  5. ^ "Gite turistiche" (in Italian). comune.alfano.sa.it. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  6. ^ "Cilento" (in Italian). comune.alfano.sa.it. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
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