Thick
forests cover the tall peaks, among them
the Alburno (5,715 ft), the Cervati (6,227
ft) and the Gelbison (5,594 ft). The calcareous
quality of this mountain range is responsible
for the formation of scores of impressive
natural architectures and sculptures –
over millions of years water has been
funnelled inside the rock shaping magnificent
caves and grottoes (about 400 caves have
been listed so far). The “Grotte
di Pertosa” and the “Grotte
di Camerota” are two superb examples
of this phenomenon.
The historical and cultural importance
of this area is testified by the presence
of architectonic and religious evidence
scattered all over the territory, which
shed a light on the millenarian history
of the present inhabitants’ ancestors
- relics dating back to prehistoric, Lucanian,
Greek and Roman ages.
This is the land where western civilization
has its roots. The Greeks settled here
in the VII century BC and celebrated the
splendour of their colonies: superb examples
are the grand Doric temples of Paestum
and the ruins of ancient Elea. This was
Magna Graecia (Latin for Greater Greece),
and here was the birthplace of the Pre-Socratic
philosophers Zeno and Parmenides and the
Eleatic school (V c. BC).
Byzantines, Lombards and Normans have
left castles, churches, monasteries, and
cloisters, lavishly decorated with fine
works of art. The inland settlements,
in particular, are characterised by distinctive
medieval buildings like cathedrals, castles
and fine palaces. The Certosa of San Lorenzo,
at the foot of the hill of Padula in the
Vallo di Diano, is one of the world largest
monasteries and one of the most valued
for its architectonical grandeur and profusion
of art works.
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