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Showing posts with the label #Campania

The Fusandola's Stairs

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Ah, the Fusandola's Stairs, a magnificent ascent that leads you from the lower part of Salerno to the entrance of the Decumanus Maximus through Via Tasso. Prepare yourself for a truly breathtaking experience as we climb these historic stairs. The Fusandola's Stairs, also known as the Scale della Fusandola in Italian, are a testament to the city's ancient past and architectural prowess. These steps, carved into the hillside, offer a dramatic and picturesque entrance to Salerno. As we ascend the Fusandola's Stairs, you'll marvel at the intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into their construction. The stone steps, worn smooth by the passage of time, bear witness to countless footsteps throughout the centuries. The stairs wind their way up the hill, offering panoramic views of the city as we climb higher. Take a moment to pause and admire the breathtaking vistas of Salerno's rooftops, the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Salerno, and the lush sur...

ETRURIAN AGE - VIII CENTURY BC / 474 BC

At the time of the transition between prehistory and history, the Etruscans (or Tirreni) built a high civilization in the heart of Italy, long before Rome, laying the foundations for the future rise of Europe. Starting from Tuscany, they expanded southwards until they reached Campania, colliding with the colonies of Magna Graecia. Tirreni was an exonym used by Greek authors to refer, in a generic sense, to non-Greek peoples, and to barbarian pirates. It is also the name with which the Greeks called theyr enemies Etruscans, Nuceria Alfaterna (Nocera), Marcìna (Vietri sul Mare), Irnthi (Fratte), Amina (Pontecagnano) could have formed an Etruscan urban confederation derived from the inclusion in the large area between Sorrento and Poseidonia (the Roman Paestum) to prevent its complete Greekization like the Italian southeast. Anyway, with the battle of Cuma in 474 BC (naval clash fought between the Siceliot Syracusan and the Etruscan fleets), the Syracusan put an end to the Etruscan expans...

HISTORY

Much has been written about the foundation of Salerno "a little above the sea", without however having certain proofs to support the various theories. Locally Salerno was born after. After Paestum (around 600 BC), after Nuceria (6th century BC), after Vietri, after Pontecagnano (between the 9th and 8th centuries BC) MAP. So the history of the city can be read only under the lens of different previous circumstances. We too will try to give our interpretation, starting from some assumptions: With all probability there were  -in the same area- italic villages and hamlets called "Salernum" older than the Roman castrum and oppidum; the Vietri/Salerno area is particularly favored by an excellent geographical position, which allowed it, in ancient times, to dominate the trade that took place in the gulf between Campania and Lucania on the sea routes connecting the Levantine markets and those of the western Mediterranean, and then ensured them; the historical city extends f...