Lone

To the west, near Pastena, we find the village of Lone surrounded by lush gardens, terraces and religious buildings such as the Church of La Natività di Maria SS., characterised by a central doorway with a semicircular pediment depicting the Madonna and Child, and two mullioned windows with stone dividing columns closed by polychrome stained glass windows.

The bell tower, located in the south-west corner of the large churchyard, is the only surviving structure of the ancient church dedicated to Santa Maria Bambina dating back to 1202 that collapsed following structural problems in 1894.

Together with Tovere, is is one of the smallest hamlets. Its constructions are largely vertical in nature. The Duoglio beach lies beneath it; above it is Monte Scorca, 550 metres above sea level.

The place name is of Longobard origin, coming from Sculca and meaning Sentry. Lastly, the village name, in its most ancient version of Leonum, probably echoed that of a wealthy merchant from the Amalfi area.

In 897, the comes annalis Vitale built his residence in the highest part of the village, and also the Church of San Giovanni Battista. The area still holds the name of Civitella. Another place name in the area is Capoderini, which was that of a wealthy merchant family that resided here. The most important member of the family was Leone, the son of Costantino De Derini who had an emporium of Amalfi merchants (funduq) in Cairo.

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