History of Maiori
Maiori was founded by Etrurians
as the root “inna” testifies
(it was of clear Etrurian origin) in the name “Reghinna
Major”. Maiori belonged to Amalfi and was the seat
of Shipyards, of Admiralty, of the Customs and of the salt
warehouse.
In 1268 it was sacked by Pisani, rivals of Amalfi: they
destroyed the town and sacked it all. Maiori soon developed
a very good mercantile marine and was able to build very
strong ships.
In 1343 there was a sea-quake that destroyed many parts
of the coast and almost all the town. Maiori returned to
life and almost all the most important economic activities
were set along the valley of Reginna Major river.
Then, in 1348 there was a terrible plague that killed many
people. This period unfortunately was also a moment of poverty
and brigandage. Maiori returned to life thanks to Queen Giovanna
I and her successor Carlo III di Durazzo and his son, Ladislao.
In the XVI and XVII centuries the first paper factories were
created.
In 1502 there were the first hostilities
between Spanish and French armies and in 1528 there was
a terrible battle
along the coast, in front of Capo d’Orso between Angevin
and Spanish fleets (the French fleet was led by the admiral
Filippino Doria, the Spanish one by the Spanish viceroy Don
Ugo di Moncada): more than 1000 men of the Spanish fleet
died.
The following years were made of plagues
and famine, pirates’ invasions
and sacks, many inhabitants were made slaves.
In 1662 Maiori became a Royal Town thanks to Philip IV.
In 1735 and in 1773 there were two violent floods. The inhabitants
found a consolation in their religious faith thanks to a
wood statue portraying Our Lady which was found after the
shipwreck of the boat that brought it. After the Unity of
Italy there were many rebellions because of the new taxes
and the difficult economical situation. Falerzio Mount that
dominates Maiori became a place where brigands and robbers
took refuge.
In 1910 there was another terrible flood. After that episode
there was the visit of king Vittorio Emanuele III. At the
end of the Second World War, after the armistice of September,
the 8th, 1943, the allied forces landed in Maiori because
there was a very large beach and its location was strategic.
Mezzacapo Palace (today the town hall) became the American
headquarter; San Domenico Church became a hospital.
In most recent years, in 1954 there was another terrible
flood, in the night between 24th and 25th of October.
Stefania Maffeo
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