Rofrano is a charming town situated in the high part of Mingardo valley, near Cervati mount, along a hillock that slopes down to Faraone River.
In the territory there are beautiful itineraries for short walks or trekking. The millenary “sacred road” is very interesting: it leads to the top of Sacro Mount, and it is the most important in Parco Nazionale del Cilento e del Vallo di Diano. It was used by pilgrims coming from Basilicata and Calabria.
The position is strategic, in the middle between the coast and the inner mountains and this attracts a lot of tourists during the year.
Grottaferrata sanctuary is very interesting: there is a precious wood Renaissance Crucifix and a very ancient statue portraying Our Lady with the Child, similar to the image of Hera Argiva (they both hold a pomegranate in a hand). Only ruins remain of the ancient monastery: ruins of the walls, of the cloister and of gardens. The plan is octagonal and there are ten altars.
The feast dedicated to the Patron, Madonna di Grottaferrata, is very nice (8th September).
Monuments and natural beauties...
- San Nicola di Mira Church, the church has three naves, the apse is rectangular and there is a precious wood chorus (1739)
Sant’Anna Church
Santa Maria dei Martiri Church
Grava di Vesalo, where Milenzio stream disappears in the ground after a fall 100 m high
Affondatore di Vallivona, a karstic pit
Cascata dello Scanno del Fuoco, a fall
Grottaferrata Sanctuary is very interesting: there is a precious wood Renaissance Crucifix and a very ancient statue portraying Our Lady with the Child, similar to the image of Hera Argiva (they both hold a pomegranate in a hand). Only ruins remain of the ancient monastery: ruins of the walls, of the cloister and of gardens. The plan is octagonal and there are ten altars
San Giovanni Battista Church, there are five altars, the main altar is made of marble. There is a walnut chorus
History...
The name Rofrano comes from the phrase “da un altro luogo” (from another place): maybe it refers to the ancient Rufra or Rofrio mentioned by writers of the past, for example Virgil in the Aeneid.
Maybe the town was founded around year 1000 by basilian monks. The most important element of this town was the basilica, situated on the top of a hillock, around which the town developed.
During Middle Ages the town was protected by strong walls, with three entrances: Porta S. Antuono, with a cylindrical tower, Porta Vallone and Porta del Leccio. On S. Antuono entrance there is a stone with the names of the officials from Rofrano that took part to the second crusade.
In 1275 the town was called Castrum, that is a fortified place.