Serre
Discovering Serre
Hi everyone! Today I'm going to talk to you about Serre, a town in the province of Salerno, in Campania. With its 3688 inhabitants, Serre is a small village located on a hill at the foot of the Alburni Mountains, 200 m above sea level. But there is much more to discover!
Territory
The territory of Serre is crossed by two rivers, the Sele and the Calore Lucano, which form the natural borders of the town. The point where the two rivers converge is called ''Jonta''. In this area there is an artificial reservoir, created by the dam on the Sele River, which hosts one of the most beautiful natural oases in Campania, the Oasi di Persano. Here it is possible to admire the local flora and fauna, and to take long walks immersed in nature.
To the northeast of the town there is a predominantly hilly area, characterized by willow, broom, poplar and oak woods, vineyards and olive groves from which one of the best oils in Campania is produced. Serre is in fact the City of Oil. To the southwest, the territory is flat and extends into the plain of Sele, one of the major agricultural resources of Campania. Here are located the only two hamlets of the town, Borgo San Lazzaro and Persano.
Climate
The climate of Serre is typically Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot and windy summers. The average temperature in January is +9.0°C, while in August it reaches +23.6°C. The average annual rainfall is about 1000 mm, distributed on average over 84 days, with a minimum in summer and a peak in autumn-winter.
History
The history of Serre is very ancient. The town has medieval origins, dating back to the 10th-11th century, and arose around a now disappeared castle. For many centuries it was a fiefdom of the Sanseverino family, Italian nobles, until 1532 when the Rossi of Parma took over thanks to the marriage of Giulio Cesare de' Rossi with Maddalena Sanseverino. In 1626 Giulio de' Rossi became the first duke of Serre.
In 1758 Gherardo de' Rossi sold the fiefdom of Serre and Persano to Charles III of Bourbon, who had the Royal Hunting Lodge of Persano created, a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture. From 1811 to 1860 the town was part of the Campagna district of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Serre is a town full of history, nature and culture. If you are passionate about trekking, you can take one of the paths that run along the Alburni Mountains, or immerse yourself in the nature of the Oasi di Persano. If you love history, you can visit the Royal Hunting Lodge of Persano, or stroll through the streets of the historic center discovering the ancient palaces and churches. And don't forget to taste the oil, the most precious product of Serre!
