Pretoro | |
---|---|
Comune di Pretoro | |
Coordinates: 42°13′N 14°8′E / 42.217°N 14.133°E | |
Country | Italy |
Region | Abruzzo |
Province | Chieti (CH) |
Frazioni | Colle Pagnotto, Passo Lanciano, Ponte |
Government | |
• Mayor | Sabrina Simone |
Area | |
• Total | 26.13 km2 (10.09 sq mi) |
Elevation | 560 m (1,840 ft) |
Population (31 March 2018)[2] | |
• Total | 948 |
• Density | 36/km2 (94/sq mi) |
Demonym | Pretoresi |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 66010 |
Dialing code | 0871 |
Saint day | 6 May |
Website | Official website |
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 Passo Lanciano-La Majelletta ski area, guarantees the availability of winter sports, while the town is also only 20 minutes by car from the Adriatic Sea. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").[3]
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.
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.