Moio della Civitella
Moio della Civitella: a town between nature and history
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about Moio della Civitella, a small town in the province of Salerno in Campania. With its 1803 inhabitants and its location among the mountains, this agricultural center in the lower Cilento region offers moments of peace and history to its visitors.
Physical geography
Located on the northwestern slopes of Gelbison and in the upper valley of the Badolato stream, Moio della Civitella offers a breathtaking panorama. The town is located on the slopes of Mount Civitella and its privileged location makes it a perfect place for those who love hiking in the mountains and walking in the middle of nature.
Climate
Based on the 1961-1990 reference thirty-year average, we can say that the climate in Moio della Civitella is very pleasant. The average temperature of the coldest month, January, is +8.7 °C; that of the warmest month, August, is +25.7 °C. So if you want to visit Moio during the summer, you should be prepared to face some heat!
History
But the history of Moio della Civitella is equally interesting. On the top of the hill, the remains of Greek walls and Roman buildings have been found. In Magna Grecia, Moio was located as a defensive outpost of the city of Elea, open to the hinterland of the present-day Cilento. This outpost was strategically located and well fortified as it was meant to protect the "chora" of the eleatic polis from the Lucanians' attacks.
Today, you can still see the remains of the fortified Greek fortress made of large regularly squared blocks, arranged in isodomy with excellent masonry technique. The fortification (proteichisma) is preserved for most of the perimeter of about eight hundred meters, and on the southern side, you can admire a particularly well-equipped, articulated, and finished door from the 4th century BC.
In the inner area of the historic center of Moio, you can still glimpse the remains of dwellings and a sacred area, while a chapel, probably from the 14th-15th century, is now completely transformed by constructions and renovations from the last century.
From the Middle Ages to Today
In the Middle Ages, Moio probably belonged as a hamlet to Vallo della Lucania. In the 18th century, the village was owned by the Pepe family with the title of barony. From 1811 to 1860, it was part of the administrative subdivision of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, Vallo district, belonging to the homonymous district of Vallo of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies. After the annexation to the Kingdom of Italy, to distinguish it from other municipalities with similar names, the name of the municipality was changed from "Moio" to the current one.
From 1928 to 1945, the municipality was annexed to Vallo della Lucania. Today, instead, Moio della Civitella is an independent municipality, a quiet and hospitable place where you can enjoy local cuisine and spend a few days in nature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a place to unwind from the hectic everyday life, I recommend stopping at Moio della Civitella. You can breathe the fresh mountain air, immerse yourself in the history of Magna Grecia, and admire the natural beauties of Cilento. You won't regret it!
