L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 20 L'Italo-Americano i n c l u d e s p r o t e c t e d a r e a s where man, with his activi- ties, maintains a balance with nature. In the end, isn't "har- m o n y b e t w e e n m a n a n d nature" the ultimate goal of creation? But culture is important, too. To better understand the cultural, social, and human reality of Cilento one must consider that, in past cen- turies, the coast was inhabit- e d b y t h e G r e e k s b u t t h e rugged inland areas were dominated by the Lucanians, a belligerent Italic race with a profoundly different cultural h e r i t a g e . T h e c o n t r a s t between inland areas and the coast is still tangible when exploring Cilento far and w i d e , a n d d i s c o v e r i n g i t s priceless artistic and histori- c a l t r e a s u r e s , i t s a n c i e n t t o w n s , i t s c h u r c h e s a n d monasteries, including the famous Certosa di Padula. At the same time, one cannot fail to appreciate the "rural" soul of the place, with its deeply rooted peasant tradi- tion: one cannot ignore that this was once a land of emi- g r a n t s . W a l k i n g t h r o u g h some of its villages — some- t i m e s d i l a p i d a t e d , o f t e n orphaned of most of their inhabitants — one realizes that the faces of those still here tell a story. cates the light color of the rock, due to its geological nature. The etymology of the word Cilento comes from the Latin Cis Alentum, a town on "this" ( " c i s " ) s i d e o f t h e A l e n t o River, or perhaps from the Greek Cir Alintos, a town overlooking the Alento River. History tells us that the area saw the presence of both the Greeks and the Romans; in particular, the ancient Greeks s e t t l e d o n t h e c o a s t a n d founded Poseidonia (today known as P a e s t u m ) and E l e a ( t o d a y k n o w n a s Velia), both part of Magna Graecia. For the inhabitants of the area, however, Cilento simply means lento (slow), as in liv- ing life without hurry. This is because time seems to have no great importance here, it flows at a different speed. Indeed, time is better under- stood by exploring sleepy vil- l a g e s a n d e n j o y i n g q u i e t landscapes, or by observing those who have always lived here; it can be enjoyed in all those corners where you can hear the wind, and nature still reigns supreme in all its wild beauty. Perhaps this is the reason why Cilento has j o i n e d U N E S C O ' s M A B ( m a n a n d b i o s p h e r e ) w o r l d n e t w o r k , w h i c h A n d s o e v e r y t h i n g i n Cilento is surprising, from its medieval frescoed cloisters that embellish tiny hamlets l o s t i n t h e m i d d l e o f n o w h e r e , t o t h e a n i m a l troughs from the last century that prop up the streets and squares; from the ghost vil- lages, sometimes guarded by a single, fearless inhabitant, to the numerous ultra-cente- narians, living proof of how healthy the Mediterranean diet, which was first studied here, is. T h a t ' s w h y I ' v e a l w a y s found awe in the eyes of the v i s i t o r s w h o m , o v e r t h e years, I have accompanied on this adventure. I, not being from Cilento, feel the same admiration for its dignified beauty, a beauty that moves the soul. And if it is true that Cilento was a land of emi- grants, it means that some of its heart and its memories can be found in the places where its people ventured (like the Americas), with pain and hope, seeking a better life. Did they eventually find it? Who knows, but that's a story for another time. You can discover more about Giorgia Montella and her Connect to Your Campania Roots service on Facebook. right conditions for life; or t h e p r i m u l a P a l i n u r i , a f l o w e r c o l o r i n g t h e c l i f f s overlooking the sea in deli- c a t e y e l l o w . I t s n a m e acknowledges its prolifera- tion in the area of Palinuro, o n e o f t h e s o u t h e r n m o s t pearls of Cilento. The Diano Valley is a f e r t i l e p l a t e a u e x t e n d i n g about 450 meters above sea level, right at the border with B a s i l i c a t a . T h e M o n t i A l b u r n i i s a n i m p o s i n g massif located further north, near Salerno, consisting of l i m e s t o n e a n d d o l o m i t e rocks, which give the land- scape an even more striking a p p e a r a n c e . T h e w o r d " A l b u r n i " d e r i v e s f r o m alburno, white, which indi- O n e o f t h e regions of Italy f r o m w h i c h m a n y e m i - g r a n t s l e f t i n search of a better life is Cam- pania, especially its southern rural areas, characterized by small villages that have great- ly diminished in size but are still rich in culture, charm, and stories. One such mysterious and bucolic place is called Cilen- to: let's find out more about it! If we think of Campania, our thoughts quickly go to Capri, Sorrento, or Positano; their sheer beauty is dazzling and first thought of on one's itinerary. Yet, if we go further south across the gulf, we'll find Cilento, a beauty beyond beauty, as unexpected as it is fascinating. Cilento stretches from the southern province of Salerno to the border with Basilicata/Lucania. From the Tyrrhenian coast to the hin- terland, we find rivers and valleys, rugged peaks like the Cervati, and rolling hills on the coast, all the way down to the caves of Pertosa and Castelcivita. Sky, sea, land. The National Park of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Monti Alburni is the s e c o n d n a t i o n a l p a r k i n prominence in Italy, for its expanse and for the extraor- dinary richness of biodiversi- ty and native species. The park is wonderfully repre- sented by its symbols: the otter, which here finds the GIORGIA MONTELLA Roots travels: Cilento, the silent soul of Campania A child in a typical Cilento costume (Photo: Giovanni Abbruzzese/Dreamstime), and the second temple of Hera in Poseidonia, Paestum (Photo: Alexirina27000/Dreamstime) Selling Homes Throughout The Bay Area Adele Della Santina "The Right Realtor makes all the di昀erence." 650.400.4747 Adele.DellaSantina@compass.com www.AdeleDS.com DRE# 00911740 Expert in preparation, promotion, and negotiation! TOURISM OF THE ROOTS TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

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