Maiori

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maiori
coat of arms
Maiori (Italy)
Maiori
Country Italy
region Campania
province Salerno  (SA)
Coordinates 40 ° 39 '  N , 14 ° 39'  E Coordinates: 40 ° 39 '1 "  N , 14 ° 38' 33"  E
height m slm
surface 16 km²
Residents 5,514 (Dec. 31, 2019)
Population density 345 inhabitants / km²
Post Code 84010
prefix 089
ISTAT number 065066
Popular name Maioresi
Patron saint Holy Maria
Website Maiori

Maiori is a municipality on the Amalfi Coast in the Italian province of Salerno . It belongs to the mountain commune Comunità Montana Penisola Amalfitana . Even in Roman times, this area was popular for recreational stays. Maiori has the longest uninterrupted stretch of beach on the Amalfi Coast.

General

Economically, tourism is mainly important in Maiori.

In the middle of the 20th century, Roberto Rossellini shot some of his most famous films here. 1946 Paisà , 1948 Il Miracolo (The Miracle), the second episody of the film L'Amore (Love), 1952 La macchina ammazzacattivi and 1953 Il viaggio in Italia ( Journey in Italy , also: Love is stronger ).

From Maiori, road 163 leads westwards to Sorrento , passing through Minori , Ravello (district by the sea), Atrani , Amalfi, Praiano , Positano. There are direct boat connections to Capri from Maiori in the summer - otherwise from Amalfi all year round. After Ischia to get out of Amalfi.

Maiori Beach

Community structure

The municipality is divided into the following localities ( frazioni ): Erchie , Ponteprimario , San Pietro , Santa Maria delle Grazie and Vecite .

Heracles and his crew are said to have gone ashore in Erchie .

history

To this day it is not known who the founders of Maiori were. There are various statements about this. The theories range from the Greeks to the Etruscans , to the Picentines and the Romans or the Lombard prince Sicardo.

The original name of Maiori was Reghinna Maior , in contrast to the neighboring parish Reghinna Minor .

Actually, all places on the coast were formed by the alternating conquerors - such as the Etruscans and Romans. This was followed by independent settlements at the time of the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Between 830 and 840 the places on the coast were then united in a confederation of the Amalfi states. In the Maritime Republic of Amalfi , the places between Lettere and Tramonti and between Cetara and Positano, as well as Capri, were united, the inhabitants of which were collectively called Amalfi. Each city retained its own name and administrative autonomy at that time, but still had a specific role in this league.

Historical dates

middle Ages

  • 973: The convent of Santa Maria de Olearia is founded by Benedictine monks in the district of Capo d'Orso.
  • 1204: The statue of S. Maria a Mare is found on Maiori beach
  • 1222: Construction of the abbeys of S. Maria de Stellis and S. Nicolo de Carbonara at the foot of the Falerzo, which, however, have not been preserved.
  • 1286: The village is sacked by the Pisans , Amalfi's archenemy
  • 1343: Seaquake
  • 1348: The plague
  • 1405: Construction of the S. Francesco building complex

Modern times

  • 16th century: First paper mills
  • 1502: First fighting with the Spanish and French
  • 1528: Bloody battle between the Anjou and Spaniards
  • 1589: The Abbey of S. Maria Olearia and all its properties are incorporated by Amalfi
  • 1656: Maiori is attacked by a plague epidemic, which ultimately dwindled the place to around 1000 inhabitants.
  • 1662: Maiori is appointed "Città Regia" by Philip IV .
  • 1735: flood
  • 1773: flood
  • 1860: Southern Italy is annexed to the Italian Empire

20th century

  • 1910: flood; King Victor Emmanuel III visits Maiori after the flood.
  • 1943, September 8th: The Allies (British and American troops) land on Maiori beach and choose Maiori as their base.
  • 1946: Paisà , a film by Roberto Rossellini, is shot in Maiori.
  • 1948: Love , a film by Roberto Rossellini, is shot in Maiori.
  • 1953: La macchina ammazzacattivi and Journey to Italy , films by Roberto Rossellini, are shot in Maiori.
  • 1954, night from October 25th to 26th: flood

Attractions

S. Maria a Mare Church
Castle of S. Nicola de Thoro-Plano

The castle encloses an area of ​​approx. 7500 m².

S.Rosario Church
S. Maria a Mare Church
S. Maria Olearia Monastery

This abbey was founded in 973 by Benedictine monks who operated an oil press there . Hence the name "S. Maria Olearia “(olearia = oil, oily). At first glance, you often don't see the abbey because it is particularly harmoniously integrated into the landscape.

Entrance to the Palazzo Mezzacapo
Palazzo Mezzacapo

The Palazzo Mezzacapo was the seat of the municipal offices until May 23, 2009 and is located in the middle of Corso Reginna, the central street of Maiori. It bears witness to the flourishing past of Maiori, as it was once the residence of the Marquis Mezzacapo.

You enter the palazzo through a massive, carved wooden door. Once in its inner courtyard, you can see the two marble staircases that lead to the right and left to the higher floors of the palazzo, which consists of many rooms, the most important of which is the hall with its large vaulted ceiling.

The palazzo was built in the first half of the 19th century and completely restored by the Mezzacapo family.

During a recent restoration , the restorers noticed that one of the murals could have been by Ludwig Richter .

Next to the palazzo are the mezzaca gardens, which are laid out in the shape of a Maltese cross .

Sanctuary of S. Maria delle Grazie

The pilgrimage church was destroyed during the flood in 1910 and then rebuilt. Inside, the 14th century painting La Visitazione ( Visitation of the Virgin Mary ) and the 13th century baptismal font are noteworthy. The bell tower and the 18th century facade are also noteworthy.

Events and festivities

  • The Gran Carnevale Maiorese ( Carnival in Maiori) in February / March
  • The Rossellini Film Festival (annually since 2000)
  • The feast of the Madonna dell'Avvocata (with two pilgrimages to the pilgrimage church on Pentecost and on Whit Monday)
  • The Sagra della Melanzana (the eggplant festival ) in the district of Vecite
  • The feast of S. Maria a Mare on August 15th

Web links

Commons : Maiori  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. Statistiche demografiche ISTAT. Monthly population statistics of the Istituto Nazionale di Statistica , as of December 31 of 2019.