Pretoro | |
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| Comune di Pretoro | |
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Location of Pretoro  | |
  Pretoro Location of Pretoro in Italy Show map of Italy Pretoro Pretoro (Abruzzo) Show map of Abruzzo | |
| Coordinates:42°13′N14°8′E / 42.217°N 14.133°E /42.217; 14.133 | |
| 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 (locallyPretèure) is a town of about 1,100 inhabitants situated inMajella National Park, in theprovince of Chieti,Abruzzo, southernItaly. It is located on a steep hillside on the eastern side of theMaiella mountains. Its proximity toPasso 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 ofI 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 inLatin from theRoman 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 byBenedictine andCistercian monks from Santa Maria Arabona atManoppello. A work of art is the 16th century sculpture of thePietà preserved in the church of San Nicola.
Within the town's territory is a nature preserve, the Riserva Naturale Valle del Foro.
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