Salerno and its province

Acciaroli

It is the largest hamlet in the municipality of Pollica. Off the beaten tracks and mass tourism, from a charming fishing village it has become over time a seaside tourist resort of national importance.
After years, it still retains its urban aspect in the streets of the historical centre and in its stone houses. It is included in the territory of the National Park of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni.

Thanks to the quality of its waters, from many years the town has been receiving the “5 sails” of Legambiente and the Blue Flag for beaches, along with the other hamlet of Pollica,

Pioppi, known for the Mediterranean Diet, Unesco Intangible World Heritage since 2010, thanks to the American biologist and physiologist Ancel Keys who moved there for 28 years, studying the nutrition of the local population and coming to the conclusion that the “Mediterranean diet” was beneficial to health.

Castellabate 

It is part of the National Park of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni, declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. Its marine environments make up the protected marine area of ​​Santa Maria di Castellabate

Geographically vast, with an area of ​​about 37 square kilometers, it has five hamlets: Castellabate, Santa Maria, San Marco, Ogliastro Marina and Lago. The history, the mild climate, the colours of the nature between the sea and green expanses, the industriousness of people, the courtesy of the operators, the flavours and tastes of Cilento cuisine are the essential ingredients to choose Castellabate as an ideal place for vacation and relax.

In 2009 it was chosen by Medusa Film as the set of Welcome to the South, a highly successful Italian comedy [in 6^th place in the Italian ranking of the most viewed films of all times] directed by Luca Miniero and starring Claudio Bisio, Alessandro Siani, Angela Finocchiaro and Valentina Lodovini. In September 2011 Castellabate was transformed again into a big movie set: the opening scenes of the sequel to Welcome to the South were shot there. The film, entitled Welcome to the North, arrived in Italian cinemas in the winter of 2012.

Amalfi

Like much of the Amalfi Coast, this area is characterised by high mountains overlooking the sea, crossed by deep gorges.
The Greek and Roman civilizations only touched Amalfi. Its power grew enormously in the period of the Maritime Republics, when it rivaled Venice, Pisa and Genoa. The drafting of a maritime legislation code, the “Amalfi Table” and the invention of the compass attributed to Flavio Gioia are part of maritime history.
The central core of the town has extended over the centuries along the valley, using all the available space. Small colourful houses are connected by a labyrinth of stone-paved alleys.The city is famous for its still active paper mills, but the main attraction is the Cathedral of Saint Andrew with its brilliant facade, the Baroque interior, and the crypt with the relics of the Saint from which it takes its name..

Padula

This small town, in the territory of Vallo di Diano, is renowned for its Chartehouse, also known as Charterhouse of Saint Lawrence. The Charterhouse has been declared UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.

Founded in 1306 by Tommaso Sanseverino Count of Marsico and Lord of the territory, it is one of the most important monuments of Southern Italy and the result of the enormous efforts of several generations.
The Charterhouse includes splendid cloisters, some of which in Baroque style, and the famous spiral staircase leading to the library.

Paestum

Paestum, a splendid town located south of Salerno, was one of the main centers of Magna Graecia.

Around 600 BC Greek colonists from Sibari, in search of a point of connection with the North, founded a city, which named Posidonia, and built a large sanctuary dedicated to Hera, enriched with fine sculptures, at the mouth of the Sele river. It was the beginning of a network of relationships with the Etruscan people present on the right bank of the river.
The colony, thanks to its favorable geographical position, waterways and soil fertility, quickly reached a notable development, arousing the aims of the Lucanians who occupied it.
By merging the three cultures, they became the new lords of the territory. In 273 BC the Romans settled there and changed the name of the city with the current one. In the imperial age Paestum began a long and progressive decline.

The Museum testifies to the history of the city and of the surrounding lands. Of particular importance are the painted tombs of the Lucanian warriors and the only painted Greek tomb ever discovered in Italy, the Diver. The Archaeological Park and the Museum have been recognized UNESCO Heritage Sites..

Palinuro

Located in the heart of the National Park of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni Palinuro, hamlet of the municipality of Centola, owes its name to the legendary helmsman of Aeneas.

It is the “five star” location of the Cilento coast, thanks to its clear sea, its endless beach, its wonderful cliffs, made of natural caves and beautiful bays. Nature lovers will be fascinated by the carnation of the rocks and by the evergreen iberis, but the typical flower of this town is the Primula Palinuri, bunches of golden-yellow flowers with green rosettes of leathery leaves, which live in the cracks of vertical cliffs overlooking the sea. Since some years the Primrose of Palinuro is the official symbol of the National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano.

Pertosa

Already known by Seneca, the caves, that branch out like tentacles, according to recent studies date to over 35 million years ago. These natural cavities were originated and shaped through karstic phenomena and they were already inhabited by man in the Stone Age. In later history first the Greeks and then the Romans used them for cult gatherings.

Due to the presence of an underground river, a particular type of boat is used to allow visitors to see the explored area, which extends for 2560 meters

Positano

This town on the Amalfi Coast is made up of small white houses adorned with gardens, which for lack of space seem to lean against each other, climbing an incredible and steep mountain. If it weren’t for the many stairs that cross it, it could easily be mistaken for a huge stack carved by the sea.
Only a small road leads close to the beach. Positano is unique in the world. After visiting it for the first time, John Steinbeck wrote “If you happen to discover a place like Positano, don’t tell anyone, otherwise it will fill up with tourists and you can say goodbye to your wonderful discovery”.

Ravello

The history of Ravello mirrors the one of Amalfi, as its economic power and influence reached its peak around the same time.
Currently, however, it differs greatly in appearance, being little more than a village consisting of small houses scattered on the top of the hills, with a multitude of gardens and flower paths. To visit: Villa Rufolo (XIII century) and Villa Cimbrone (XIX century, in Moorish style). Both have lovely gardens designed by a Scotsman and an Englishman respectively in the late XIX century. Villa Cimbrone is a “must see” for the large gardens and the wonderful statues that shine in a spectacular choreography. A plaque set in the wall recalls the stay of Greta Garbo, when, rescued from the Hollywood clamor by Leopold Stokowski, she spent a period of joyful retreat there.

Velia

The archaeological area of ​​Velia – Elea, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998, is located not far from Ascea.
Founded by the Greeks, who in 540 BC settled in the area already occupied by indigenous people to escape the Persian domination, it owes its fame to the philosophical school inspired and directed by Parmenides.

During the Roman domination, the name of Elea was transformed into Velia and this place became, due to its beauty and mild climate, the destination of important personalities of the time such as Cicero.
Today, the remains of the ancient city are part of the Acropolis, surrounded by perimeter walls, and an Ionic temple. There are also numerous remains of Roman civilization, such as the two thermal complexes.

Vietri sul Mare

First pearl of the Amalfi Coast, immediately west of Salerno, Vietri sul Mare stands on a terraced strip overlooking a splendid bay. The church of Saint John the Baptist, the main city monument of the XVI century, surmounted by an elegant majolica dome, dominates the village.
The harsh environmental orography, almost completely devoid of communication routes, has played a fundamental role in the history of the town. On the one hand, it discouraged territorial expansion, on the other it represented a strong stimulus to increase relations with overseas populations.
The medieval period was decisive for the cultural development of Vietri, which was able to count on a huge merchant fleet, successfully developing a dense network of commercial relations with the East. This contributed to the development of the maritime, legal and craft sectors. Centuries later, this area boasts a thriving production of artistic ceramics which, at the dawn of the third millennium, together with tourism forms the basis of the local economy.