Pretoro

Pretoro (locally Pretèure) is a town of about 1,100 inhabitants situated in Majella National Park, in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo, southern Italy. It is located on a steep hillside on the eastern side of the Maiella mountains. Its proximity to the ski slopes of Passo Lanciano, guarantees the availability of winter sports, while the town is also only 20 minutes by car from the Adriatic Sea.

Pretoro
Comune
Comune di Pretoro
Location of Pretoro
Pretoro
Location of Pretoro in Italy
Pretoro
Pretoro (Abruzzo)
Coordinates: 42°13′N 14°8′E
CountryItaly
RegionAbruzzo
ProvinceChieti (CH)
FrazioniColle Pagnotto, Passo Lanciano, Ponte
Government
 • MayorSabrina Simone
Area
 • Total26.13 km2 (10.09 sq mi)
Elevation
560 m (1,840 ft)
Population
 (31 March 2018)[2]
 • Total948
 • Density36/km2 (94/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Pretoresi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
66010
Dialing code0871
Saint day6 May
WebsiteOfficial website

History

The area in which Pretoro is located has been occupied since prehistoric times; remains from that period have been found here, as well as inscriptions in Latin from the Roman era. The first documented mention of the town is in a 12th-century record. Pretoro's name may derive from the word "preta", an earlier form of the word "pietra" or stone. The town stands on a rocky landscape that does not lend itself to farming. Because the town is surrounded by beech-forest, the people of Pretoro have specialized over the centuries in woodcarving.

Main sights

Pretoro is composed of a cluster of stone buildings which climb the steep mountainside; the oldest part of the town is at the highest point, while down below is a newer section.

The 13th century Sanctuary of the Madonna della Mazza is located a little above the town. This was a hermitage built by Benedictine and Cistercian monks from Santa Maria Arabona at Manoppello. A work of art is the 16th century sculpture of the Pietà preserved in the church of San Nicola.

Within the town's territory is a nature preserve, the Riserva Naturale Valle del Foro.

People

References
  1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat)
  3. Harvey Chusid (March 14, 2010). "Maria Pellegrini". The Canadian Encyclopedia.


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