The town's name, for some, derives from the Latin name "Prinius" to which adding the suffix"-anus ", indicates the ownership, while for others, it comes from the Greek "perì gnatos" (near the narrow passage), and there is a third school of thought that attributes the name to the abundance of pear trees in the area. Municipality in the province of Salerno, located between the valley Alento and plains of Testene and Solofrone, is washed by the artificial lake of Alento. Prignano is an ideal location for tranquility and enjoys a mild climate thanks to its setting between the hills and its proximity to the sea. The town is also an ideal departure point for excursions to Paestum.
The Greek and Roman find retrieved in the area attest that these territories were inhabited since ancient times. The first reliable data, which reports of the existence of the centre, dates back to the VIII century, a period in which the territory of Prignano was donated to the monks of the Abbey of Cava de 'Tirreni. Later it was granted to the Sanseverino, who ruled till the XII century. Over the centuries, the domain of these lands were assigned to several feudal families, including the Cardone, who kept hold of their rights until the abolition of feudalism in the early XIX century. The town was originally divided into three districts, of which the oldest was Melito.

Attractions:
- the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, which is all that remains of the hamlet of Poglisi. Situated in the village's cemetery, it was built in the X century. It features three naves separated by arches;
- the church of San Nicola di Bari, built before the XIII century, over the centuries has submitted several renovations. It features three nave plan with five altars in Carrara marble and preserves within valuable frescoes;
- the Church of Santa Caterina, probably built before the XVI century, houses an original altar and an old and valuable painting;
- the Church of San Biagio, probably built in the XIV century;
- the XII century Church of St. Anthony of Padua;
- the nature Oasis of the river Alento, an ideal location for bird watching, fishing, hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding;
- the XVIII century Palazzo Cardone is an impressive building, but uninhabited for quite a while;
- the Tower of the Volpe Family, a massive structure with a quadrangular base and battlements, now partially in ruins;
- Fontana Vecchia is a natural spring located in an old farmhouse;
- the Vico degli Aranci (the Orange Tree Lane), which is the oldest street of the district of Melito.