Rutino
Discovering Rutino: an ancient and fascinating town
Located in the province of Salerno, Rutino is a town of about 763 inhabitants with a rich and fascinating history. In this text, we will provide you with some details about the geography, history, monuments and places of interest, society and traditions of the town.
Physical Geography
Rutino is an agricultural town in the high Cilento area, located on the right side of the middle valley of the Alento river in Campania. The town is situated on a spur of the hill, on top of which stands the mighty castle of Rocca Cilento. The typical structure of the town is elongated, known by the locals as ''Rutino long and thin''. In practice, the development axis of the town is composed of the Tirrena state road. Rutino is classified as zone 3 (low seismicity), Ordinance PCM. 3274 of March 20, 2003.
History
The founding date of Rutino is not known with certainty, but it is believed that the town was founded a long time ago. It is known that in a document from 954, the town was referred to as Ruticinum (in locum Ruticini). In this document, the "Translatio" of the remains of the apostle Saint Matthew from Duoflumina (Casal Velino) to Caputaquis (Capaccio) and thence to Salerno is mentioned.
During the 11th century, Rutino was a hamlet of the Baronia del Cilento, a fief of the Sanseverino family from 1276. The town was sold in 1535 by Ferrante Sanseverino to Francesco de Rogerio. In 1538, it passed to the latter's son, Gian Lorenzo. Later, Rutino was owned by Giovanni Gomez together with the castle of Rocca, of which he followed the events.
From 1811 to 1860, Rutino was known as ''Rotino'' and was part of the Administrative subdivision of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ## Circondari di Torchiara, belonging to the district of Vallo in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Between 1860 and 1927, during the Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946), the town was part of the Torchiara mandamento (law), belonging to the Vallo della Lucania district.
During World War II, German troops occupied the town and camped in the old sports field. Until the opening of the new Provincial Road 417, which starts from Agropoli and ends in Sapri, Rutino was a stop on the route of the state road 18 Tirrena Inferiore.
Monuments and places of interest
The monumental and artistic heritage of Rutino is very diverse and interesting, as evidenced by the following buildings:
Palazzo Cuoco, of late medieval origin, was a convent with numerous frescoes located on the raised floor, which have been nonexistent since the '50s. Palazzo Puca, Palazzo Melella, Palazzo Rinaldi-Moschillo, Palazzo Miglino, Palazzo Rotolo, Palazzo Magnoni, Palazzo Lombardi, and Palazzo Colombaia of the Cuoco family.
The Church of San Michele Arcangelo, of medieval origin, underwent a radical transformation in 1885. The building preserves numerous statues from the 17th century, a canvas depicting St. Lucia, and a parish museum has been created in a service room. Another interesting church is that of Santa Maria dell'Arco, the Chapel of the Madonna delle Catene, and the Chapel of San Giuseppe. Finally, in the hamlet of Rutino Scalo, there is the Church of Sant'Anna and San Gioacchino.
Society
Rutino has three cycles of education in the municipal territory. The Secondary Schools of the Second Grade are present in Agropoli and Vallo della Lucania.
Demographic evolution
In recent decades, Rutino has been affected by a slowdown in the demographic growth rate. In 1951, the population of the town was about 1,500 inhabitants, while in 2019 the number has dropped to 763 inhabitants.
Traditions and folklore
The most important festivity celebrated during the year in Rutino is that of the protector Saint Michael the Archangel. The celebration is famous for the ''flight of the Angel'' which, as the name suggests, involves a boy from the town dressing up as an angel and flying through a rope (about 20 meters) stretched between the dome of the church and the bell tower.
Conclusions
Rutino is a very fascinating town with a rich history, located in an area of great beauty. The cultural and artistic heritage is of the highest value, and there are many traditions and celebrations to discover. If you want to visit it, book a trip to Campania and let yourself be seduced by the beauties of this municipality.
