Cilento is like a casket that holds a priceless treasure, a heritage rich in natural beauty and food and wine specialties.
In this virtual tour we will let you know only some of the enchanted places that form the Cilento area, but which will be enough to make you understand how here the greatness of nature confuses reality with magic.
Cilento is one of the most beautiful areas in Campania, its name derives from the Latin term “cis-Alentum”, that is, “on this side of the river Alento”. It is mainly mountainous but the coastal strip is also impressive and important, made up of inlets, beaches and headlands that are characterized by karst phenomena, fresh water springs and sea caves.
Most of the Cilento area is guarded by the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park which extends for 181,048 hectares, which includes two marine protected areas, Santa Maria di Castellabate and Costa degli Infreschi.
The prestigious awards of Cilento
Cilento, a territory considered a World Heritage Site, has received important international awards over time. In 1997, it was included in the important network of Mab-Unesco biosphere reserves and in 1998 in the world heritage list. Furthermore, in 2010 the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park was recognized as a geopark, and it is the first Italian National Park to receive this recognition.
Cilento is not only natural beauties, its history is rich in culinary traditions and delicacies to taste to relive in a bite or in a sip of good wine all a heritage of culture and traditions that refer to the past. In these areas there are typical dishes, local wines and extra virgin olive oil that captivate at the mere taste.
Staying at the Villa Fiorentino in Positano you can visit many towns in Cilento, thus discovering all the natural and food and wine beauties of the area.
Agropoli
Tourist resort located at the gates of Cilento, its history, its culture, its natural beauties make it a place you can visit every month of the year.
Among the places of culture you can visit the Castello Angioino Aragonese located in the historic center, a destination for many tourists and home to important cultural events; the Civic Palace of Arts, dedicated to art and archeology; the Madonna delle Grazie Church; the Church of the Madonna of Constantinople; the Church of S.S. Peter and Paul; the Church of S. Maria della Pietà or dell’Addolorata; the Fornace which bears witness to the transformation and industrialization process of the urban landscape and he economy of the country. It is a former brick factory, which later became a cultural center, seat of exhibitions, concerts, and other cultural activities. Since 2011, it has been included in the list of state-bound assets and assets of national significance.
The Tower of San Marco which is located in a strategic position of conjunction between the Castle and the tower of Paestum, the Tower of San Francesco located next to the remains of the convent. The tourist port, the largest south of Salerno with about 1200 berths. It has also become a port for cruise tourism.
Agropoli is also sea. The clear waters of the Bay of Trentova and the San Marco waterfront have ensured that Agropoli was awarded the Blue Fee Flag, a recognition that testifies to the cleanliness of the sea, the effectiveness of tourism and the protection of the environment.
Acciaroli
Acciaroli is a small town on the Cilento coast, once it was inhabited mainly by fishermen, today it is a highly sought after tourist destination. Despite being a small village, it is full of things to show, a simple historical center, but which allows you to understand how authentic the people who once lived in the village lived, the S.S. Annunziata and its bell tower, it was probably built on a Roman villa which was later donated to the Franciscans who built a convent there. The bell tower was instead built in 1926.
The Norman Tower of Acciaroli which dates back to the 13th century AD, located in the terminal part of the port of Acciaroli, and from which the landscape that can be seen is spectacular, especially at sunset.
In addition to the architectural beauties, Acciaroli is a village visited for the beauty of its sea, which has been receiving many awards for years. The shallow waters, the fine sand and the clear waters are an attraction for many tourists, especially families.
Paestum
Paestum once called Poseidonia, from Poseidon or Neptune, god of the sea, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cilento for the historical and natural beauties it offers.
The Archaeological Park of Paestum is an attraction for tourism. The remains of the ancient city are preserved in it There are: the temple of Athena, Neptune and Hera. The temples are excellently preserved and this allows you to admire them in all their splendor.
A visit to the Forum, the Amphitheater and the Domus should not be missed. And for lovers of archeology, a visit must be made to the Paleochristian Basilica, not far from the archaeological area.
But the beauties do not end here, to absolutely visit is the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum, inside which there are all the finds that have been found in the area, including the Tomb of the Diver.
And also Paestum like many areas of Cilento should be remembered for the sea. The beaches of Capaccio – Paestum are wide and characterized by golden sand, often located near the pine forest, perfect for spending the hottest hours of a day spent at the sea.
Near the archaeological area there is the beach of Torre di Paestum, from here you can admire in addition to the aforementioned tower, also a bunker dating back to the Second World War.
Marina di Camerota
Hamlet of Camerota is a very popular destination, especially for seaside tourism, thanks to its beautiful beaches.
The Mingardo Beaches, the Troncone Beach, the San Domenico Beach, which are located between the historic center and the port, the Lentiscelle Beach which can be easily reached by car, spacious and equipped. It is the first point to go to take the Sentiero degli Infreschi, the Calanca Beach reachable along a steep staircase, it is perfect for families due to its shallow water.
The karst soil of Marina di Camerota has allowed the formation of numerous caves, once a place of rest for shepherds, the Grotta dell’Autaro, the Grotta del Pesce, Grotta Caprara, the Grotta del Poggio, the Grotta della Cala, also known as the Grotta of the Prehistoric man and many others.
Nature has been generous with this place, giving two true natural treasures, namely, Baia degli Infreschi, a protected marine area and Cala Bianca Beach, winner in 2013 of the Legambiente competition as the most beautiful beach in Italy. The beach is characterized by white sand and can only be reached by sea.
For those who love history, you can visit the Paleolithic Virtual Museum, the archaeological sites that tell the story of Marina di Camerota, the ruins of the Monastery of Sant’Iconio, the ruins of the Marchesale Castle, the Museum of rural civilization, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Church of San Nicola.
Palinuro
At 10 km from Marina di Camerota there is Palinuro, a place that has always attracted many tourists, a mixed landscape of sea and hills that enchant the eyes of visitors.
Its beaches are spacious and sandy with alternating stretches of rock which can only be accessed by sea. And it is precisely here that real treasures are hidden, such as the Buon Dormire beach. Also worth visiting are the Mingardo Beach, that of the natural arch and the Marinella.
Also worth a visit are the caves of Capo Palinuro, such as the beautiful Grotta Azzurra.
The symbol of Palinuro, however, remains the Natural Arch which represents a passageway from the outfall of the Mingardo to the strip of sand overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Cilento food and wine
Beyond the historical and natural beauties of the aforementioned places, what unites them are the food and wine riches that characterize the whole of Cilento.
Cilento cuisine linked to the Mediterranean Diet. Cilento is world famous for the excellence and authenticity of its products, which is why you cannot help but taste its typical dishes.
We will mention just some of the local specialties, just to make your mouth water and entice you to visit these enchanting places.
The Mozzarella di bufala Campana D.O.P., a typical product of the Piana del Sele, to be enjoyed directly in the numerous dairies in the area or in some local restaurant, “the mozzarella in the mortella” or the mozzarella wrapped in myrtle, a typical Cilentan method of conservation that it is possible to taste at the Taverna del Mozzo in Marina di Camerota, with wich the chef prepares tasty recipes. The artichoke I.G.P. of Paestum, the white figs D.O.P. del Cilento stuffed with dried fruit and for those who like them, wrapped in dark chocolate. The many fresh fish specialties that can be tasted in the best restaurants in the area.
To give even more flavor and richness to the typical dishes there is the precious gold of the area, the extra virgin olive oil, a real elixir. In addition, the typical wines of Cilento: Aglianico, Falanghina, Fiano and Rosato can not be missing to accompany the different dishes.
Cilento, a land to be discovered!
