Salernes

Salernes ( Provençal Salerna or Salerno) is a commune with 3723 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011 ) in the Var department in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur.

Geography

Salernes is located 22 km west of Draguignan in a valley between 300 to 400 m high hill, on the river Bresque, near the mouth of the creek Vallon de la Brague.

History

In the year 1007 the name of the town first appears as Salerna. A possible etymological explanation of the name is the Latin expression Salis terranum to German salt of the earth. Maybe is in the name of the pre-Celtic root sal, which means constricted water. In the 11th century the place was owned by the Abbey of Saint -Victor, in the 12th century, the rule went to Pontevès, later to Castellane over. In the 17th century a Marquisat favor of Gaul was established Issarts. Finally Salernes was sold to Louis Gallifet.

Already in the early Middle Ages Salernes was a fortified settlement, which grouped around the castle built on a rocky hill.

Attractions

• The church of Saint Pierre
• The Château
• The park Saint Barthélémy
• The natural swimming pool
• The Museum of Ceramics - 7000 years clay and ceramics

Economy

Salernes is known for its hexagonal tiles.