Atena Lucana

Atena Lucana
Comune
Comune di Atena Lucana
Coat of arms
Atena Lucana Location of Atena Lucana in Italy Show map of Italy Atena Lucana Atena Lucana (Campania) Show map of Campania
Coordinates: 40°27′N15°33′E / 40.450°N 15.550°E / 40.450; 15.550
Country	Italy
Region	Campania
Province	Salerno (SA)
Frazioni	Atena Lucana Scalo, San Giuseppe, Serrone
Government
• Mayor	Luigi Vertucci
Area [1]
• Total	26.01 km2 (10.04 sq mi)
Elevation	642 m (2,106 ft)
Population  (28 February 2017) [2]
• Total	2,368
• Density	91.04/km2 (235.8/sq mi)
Demonym	Atinati or Atenesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	84030
Dialing code	0975
Patron saint	St. Blaise
Website	Official website

Atena Lucana is a town and comune in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy.

History

Atena Lucana is one of the most ancient settlements in the Vallo di Diano, as testified by the presence of prehistoric Megalithic walls. Later it was a fortress of the Lucani and a municipium of the Romans. In imperial times it temples dedicated to Jupiter, Cybele, Aesculapius, Hercules, bath, an amphitheatre and, perhaps, a forum.

Around the 9th century it was destroyed by Saracen raiders. Subsequently, it was a fief of different baronial families. In the 19th century much of the population emigrated to North and South America.

Main sights

• Church of St. Nicholas (9th century)
• Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
• Archaeological area of Serrone
• Castle
• Megalithic Walls (4th century BC)

Festivals

A popular feast day in Atena Lucana is the feast of San Ciro, which is celebrated the 3rd Sunday of May. The women, to show their devotion carry large pyramids of candles on their heads in a procession. Many of them go barefoot as well to show their devotion or to ask for a healing from the Saint.

Twin towns

• Meliki, Greece

See also

• Vallo di Diano

References

1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
2. "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.