Cilentano.it / .tv - Alla scoperta del Monte Stella con Lara (Miss Cilento nel Mondo 2022)

Cilentano.it - ​​Monte della Stella is a massif located in the Cilento National Park. Its southern conical peak (1,131 meters above sea level) was leveled to build the large radar sphere, lowering the mountain's altitude (1,100 meters above sea level). On its slopes lie the municipalities of Stella Cilento, Sessa Cilento, Omignano, San Mauro Cilento, Pollica, Serramezzana, Perdifumo, Castellabate, Montecorice, Lustra, and Rutino. At the summit stands a small church, dedicated to the Madonna del Monte della Stella, dating back to 1000 and restored in 1993. Monte Stella (Cilento) is the symbolic center of the birth of Cilento. In fact, the area immediately surrounding the mountain is called "Ancient Cilento" to distinguish it from the entire national park. Megalithic remains can be found on the summit, along the summit ridge, and primarily on the Alentino side. Stella Cilento originated around the 13th century. It was initially called "Porcili" (Porcili) due to the high number of pig farms. However, since this name conveyed an unpleasant image of the place, the administration changed it to Stella Cilento. The town is known as "U' Paese re i Maistri re cofana e canistri" (The Town of the Masters, King of Chests and Baskets). This nickname derives from the presence of artisans who were very active, especially in the 1950s. Continuing further, turn right to reach the highest and smallest of the hamlets: Amalafede. Its original name was probably "Bonafides," so called as a sign of "good hope." Among the ancient stone houses, it's like stepping back in time: in the center is the small church of Santa Maria Maddalena, celebrated on July 22nd. Stonehenge is the name of the famous English megalithic site that evokes mysterious rites linked to the summer solstice, when the sun, at dawn on June 21st, aligns with the great stones of the prehistoric circle. On Mount Stella in Cilento, there is a similar calendar. It is called Preta ru Mulacchio, which in the Cilento dialect means "Stone of the Illegitimate Child" because it was also associated with fertility rites. The Preta is essentially made up of three boulders that separated from a single block due to natural causes: two "galleries" have formed between these three boulders.