Stella Cilento
 | This article may be expanded with text translated from the [[:it:Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 967: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|corresponding article]] in italiano. (January 2022) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Stella Cilento | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Stella Cilento | |
 | |
 Stella Cilento within the Province of Salerno | |
Location of Stella Cilento Lua error in Module:Infobox_mapframe at line 118: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 502: Unable to find the specified location map definition: "Module:Location map/data/Italy Template:RegioneIT" does not exist. | |
| Coordinates: 40°14′N 15°6′E / 40.233°N 15.100°ECoordinates: 40°14′N 15°6′E / 40.233°N 15.100°E Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Template:RegioneIT |
| Province | Template:ProvinciaIT (short form) (SA) |
| Frazioni | Amalafede, Droro, Guarrazzano, San Giovanni |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Francesco Massanova |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.52 km2 (5.61 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 386 m (1,266 ft) |
| Population (31 August 2015)[1] | |
| • Total | 742 |
| • Density | 51/km2 (130/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Stellani |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 84070 |
| Dialing code | 0974 |
| Patron saint | St. Nicholas |
| Saint day | Second Sunday in August |
| Website | Official website |
Stella Cilento (Cilentan: Stella Ciliendo) is a town and comune in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy. Its name means Star of Cilento in the Italian language.
Geography
Stella, named after the neighbouring mountain, is located in the middle of Cilento. It borders with the municipalities of Casal Velino, Omignano, Pollica and Sessa Cilento. It counts the frazioni of Amalafede, Droro, Guarrazzano and San Giovanni.
History
The town was formerly known as Porcili, a name documented as early as 1038 in local land records.[2] The village likely developed in the early 13th century, when refugees from the older settlement of Torricelle, near Monte Stella (Cilento), resettled further downhill. By around 1225, a community had formed on the present site. Stella was part of the medieval Barony of Cilento and under the control of noble families such as the Sanseverino family and later the Capano family of Pollica.[3]
The fief of Porcili passed through various hands in the 15th and 16th centuries, including the Sanseverino, Di Sangro and Gambacorta families. In 1617 it was acquired by Luzio Materazzi of Castellabate, and eventually sold in 1783 to Antonio Cesare Ventimiglia, the last feudal lord before the abolition of feudalism in the Kingdom of Naples in 1806.[2] After that year, Porcili became a municipality (università) and incorporated the hamlets of Guarrazzano, San Giovanni, and Amalafede.
In 1871, the town officially changed its name from "Porcili" to "Stella Cilento" to eliminate the negative connotation of the former and highlight the proximity to Monte Stella, adding "Cilento" to distinguish it regionally.
Hamlets and Local Lore
Stella Cilento includes four frazioni: San Giovanni, Guarrazzano, Amalafede (also known historically as Bonafida), and Droro.
- San Giovanni was reportedly settled around 1225 by inhabitants relocating from Monte Stella. It later hosted a 17th-century ducal palace belonging to the Vassallo family, known locally as "the Castle".
- Guarrazzano has Lombard origins, with references dating back to 1009. Its name may derive from the Lombard word for "wood".
- Amalafede, meaning "good faith", developed after the Black Death in the 14th century as nearby settlements regrouped.
- Droro is traditionally known for artisanal basket weaving, earning it the local moniker paese dei maestri di cofane e canestri (“village of the basket-makers”).
Each hamlet celebrates its own festivals and maintains a strong local identity.[4]
Culture and Landmarks
The main parish church is dedicated to San Nicola di Bari. It contains a 14th-century bas-relief of the Madonna della Stella and wooden Stations of the Cross by local artist Anna Maria Chirico. In San Giovanni, the 17th-century Palazzo Vassallo survives with a fortified structure and original stone portal.
Stella Cilento observes its patronal feast for Saint Nicholas on the second Sunday of August. The town also celebrates the Feast of San Bernardino in May and local summer festivals in each hamlet. The area is known for extra-virgin olive oil and traditional foods like goat cheese, figs, and cured meats.[5]
See also
- Monte Stella (Cilento)
- Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park
References
- ↑ All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat); Dati - Popolazione residente all'1/4/2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Stella Cilento (Porcili) – Historical Notes". Italy Heritage. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ↑ "Stella Cilento – History". Cilento on the Road. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ↑ "Visit Stella Cilento – History and Traditions". Visit Cilento. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ↑ "Discovering Stella Cilento". Discovering Cilento. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
External links
Media related to Stella Cilento at Wikimedia Commons
This article "Stella Cilento" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Stella Cilento. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
