CENTRAL CILENTO - HISTORY AND TRADITIONS
The central area of Cilento offers exceptional landscapes and is the perfect place
to practise trekking, hiking, walking and to go horse-riding. There are interesting
guided tours in the Mediterranean bush, to discover the local flora and fauna.
The territory includes Cannalonga, Casalvelino, Castelnuovo Cilento, Ceraso, Gioi
Cilento, Moio della Civitella, Novi Velia, Omignano, Orria, Perito, Pollica,
Salento, San Mauro Cilento, Stella Cilento, and Vallo della Lucania. A perfect mix
of history, art and rural traditions full of dignity.
In Moio della Civitella and Orria there are interesting museums dedicated to rural
life: the one of Orria contains some of the most important evidences about the
cultivation of the white fig. Even an exhibition is dedicated to this local fruit.
Orria boasts an incomparable natural location and a church dedicated to Saint
Sophie, which is positioned on a rock overlooking the two deep valleys Orria and
Cerreto, and has one of the tallest bell towers of Cilento. From there you will
enjoy a wonderful and open panorama over the fertile plains of the ancient Gioi,
Salento and Piano, and over the valleys of Casalvelino and Velia.
Terrae Piretii was the ancient name of Peritoand reminds us the activity once performed in this area, that is the production of gun powder and in town there are still the huge mortars used to produce it. In Perito there is an interesting event called \ldblquote Vasci, portuni e pertose\rdblquote : the town opens its doors and its memories to tourists and all the inhabitants and palaces are involved. There are also exhibitions, festivals, meetings, gastronomy, etc.
The next stopping place is Salento, the "town of tranquillity"
so called because of its hidden places emanating a silent charm, such as the church
dedicated to Saint Barbara in Neapolitan Baroque style, of the XVIII century. An
interesting monument, especially its bell tower with its architectural style, unique
in Cilento.
The territory of Ceraso is not far from the coast and is sloping down toward the
sea. It is very interesting for it small medieval hamlet, Massascusa. The houses
were usually built all joined together to create a good resistance in case of
earthquakes. An example is the district called " mpieri Ceraso". The
church dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Bari deserves a visit for its astonishing big
size.
In Gioi Cilento there is a nice event called "Per Archi e
Vuttari" about ancient crafts and forgotten flavours. This is the perfect
occasion to taste the famous sausage called "soppressata", dating back
to 1835. Visit the monastery of Saint Francis, built in 1466: from its garden you
will admire a stunning wide panorama on the Alento Valley.
Stella Cilento boasts a beautiful palace, the Palazzo Vassallo, with a stone portal
and small characteristic towers, and because of its big size and strategic position
the inhabitants call it the "castle".
Vallo della Lucania is the most active town of the area for its economy. It boasts
an interesting Diocesan Museum with wood statues and paintings of local traditions,
a place containing that sacred representing the spirit of whole Cilento. Vallo della
Lucania is also the town where the bishop's see and the offices of National Park of
Cilento and Vallo di Diano are located, as well as the Court and an important
hospital, the biggest of Cilento area. In August in Vallo there is an important jazz
event, called "finestra jazz", which had as guests great musicians such as Hal Singer
and Benny Golson. The structure Fiere di Vallo organizes many National and
International events and festivals.
After a visit to the castle called Castello Capano, built in 1290, and where
according to tradition Sant'Alfonso De' Liguori stayed several times, why not taking
time for a swim in the crystalline sea of Pollica? The nicest sea spots are
Acciaroliand Pioppi. It seems that the famous writer Ernst Hemingway found in this
area his inspiration for the famous novel 'The old man and the sea'. Acciaroli and
Pioppi are famous for their crystalline water, the fine and white sand and the
facilities. They have both been awarded with the Blue Flag by the Foundation for
Environmental Education and with the "Cinque Vele" by Legambiente. |
