Mercatello Park

The Mercatello Park was inaugurated on February 6^th, 1998 at the presence of the then President of the Republic Oscar Luigi Scalfaro.

With its 10 hectares of extension, it is one of the largest urban parks in Italy, in relation to the number of residents. It connects three districts of the city of Salerno: Mariconda, Mercatello and Europa Neighbourhood. The small river that crosses it, the rock garden, which collects the succulent plants of the Fondazione Acquaviva, the artificial lake and the canal are among the most characteristic places. A large space has been reserved for entertainment initiatives and a kiosk – bar refreshes the many visitors to the park in all seasons of the year.

The large and varied green area is divided into four “thematic” sectors based on the different tree species planted: “naturalistic area”, along the Mercatello stream and around the lake; “Area of ​​the Mediterranean garden”, characterized by long majolica arcades covered with vines; “Orchard area”, vestiges of the ancient agricultural system of the area; “Lawn area”.

Extensive redevelopment works were completed on April 13^th, 2011 with the arrangement of the watercourse located within the park. In particular, the entire hydraulic circuit and the water jets system was redone, including the artistic lighting system of the same. The artificial canal was revisited with the construction of two pedestrian sections equipped with floor water jets illuminated with LEDs. The existing walkways have also been redone.

Thanks to these works, the park was enriched with a musical fountain, located at the end of the artificial canal, between the stage and the wooden pier, equipped with speakers whose jets are sequential to the music. The sequence of small waterfalls of the musical fountain is also illuminated with LED strips.

In place of the artificial lake, a lawn with its irrigation system was created. The general overhaul also affected the jetty and stage, the irrigation system, the pergolas, the benches, the litter bins, the wooden crossings along the Mercatello stream. A new protective fence was also built for the Mercatello stream

The rock garden and the Acquaviva collection
The result of years of dedication and passion, the Acquaviva family’s collection of cacti and succulents was donated to the Municipality of Salerno, becoming the heritage of the entire city. To protect and enhance the precious collection, a special greenhouse was created inside the Mercatello Park: the ideal setting from an aesthetic point of view, the optimal setting from a botanical point of view. The greenhouse was surrounded by flower beds, also embellished with succulent plants, which introduce the visitor to the different subspecies and to the extraordinary and incomparable specimens kept within the rock garden. The greenhouse of Parco del Mercatello is, today, one of the richest and most precious structures in Southern Italy: a point of reference for scholars and lovers of botany, a must-see for tourists, an oasis of pleasant break for citizens .

Free internet

Wi-fi is active in the Mercatello Park. Using it is very simple: once you reach the Mercatello Park, equipped with a notebook or smartphone, just turn on the wireless radio device and the system will automatically recognize the wireless network of the Municipality of Salerno. By opening the browser, the user will be automatically directed to the registration page where, in compliance with the Pisanu law on anti-terrorism, it is necessary to provide their personal data and their mobile number, on which the applicant will receive an SMS with username and password to access the network and then browse freely.

Site
Europa Neighbourhood, Mariconda, Mercatello
Entrances: Via Angrisani, Via Limongelli, Via Gramsci
Opening hours
from October to April 9.00 – 23.00; from May to September 8.00 – 24.00