Itineraries in Cilento
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Per info: santuario.it
PARCO ARCHEOLOGICO DI PAESTUM (PAESTUM ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK) ITINERARY
2 HOURS / 1.5 KM /LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY
The Paestum temples number among the best preserved Magna Grecia monuments. The site has a 5 km pentagon-shaped surrounding wall. This wall was built by the Greeks and its blocks can be “adopted” to help preserving the archaeological heritage. There are four gates to enter the city: Porta Aurea (Golden Gate) to the north, Porta della Giustizia (Justice Gate) to the south, Porta della Sirena (Siren’s Gate) to the east and Porta Marina (Sea Gate) to the west. You can easily reach the Parco Archeologico either by car or by train: just get to the Capaccio train station, then walk towards Porta Sirena and in 10 minutes you will be right in front of the wonderful monuments that conquered all the young men who undertook the Grand Tour in the 18th and 19th century.
The ticket office is inside the museum. After buying the ticket, you can enter the archaeological area right next to the Tempio di Cerere (Cerere’s Temple). This temple was built at the end of the 6th century BC. It is smaller than the other temples. It is in the upper side of the city, that’s why scientists believe that it was actually dedicated to Athena; this theory seems to be valid as researchers have found several small statues of the Goddess of Wisdom.
After visiting the Tempio di Cerere, walk southward to the residential area of the city. On your right, you will see the remains of the villas and of the pool and, soon after, the remains of the rectangular Court. Proceed towards the most majestic temple of the area: the Tempio di Nettuno (Neptune’s Temple), dating back to 450 BC, the best preserved example of Magna Grecia Doric building. Right next to it, there is the Basilica (Cathedral), also known as Tempio di Hera (Hera’s Temple), the most ancient building in Paestum. It dates back to the 6th century BC and is surrounded by a 50 columns colonnade.
Wait for the dusk: the sun sets right behind the temples and offers a breathtaking view.
It is very important to visit the Museo Archeologico (Archaeological Museum) to know the history and the lifestyle of the city of temples. The museum is right next to the site and keeps the finds from both Paestum and the nearby necropolises. The museum is divided in several areas and houses finds of great artistic and historic value.
Trattenetevi fino a sera: il sole che tramonta alle spalle dei templi è uno spettacolo da non perdere.
Per conoscere la vita e la storia della città dei templi, è importante visitare il Museo Archeologico, ubicato in un edificio adiacente gli scavi, che raccoglie il materiale proveniente dai siti di Paestum e dalle necropoli vicine. Il museo è suddiviso in varie sezioni e contiene reperti di grande valore artistico e storico.
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FROM SAN MARCO DI CASTELLABATE TO PUNTA LICOSA, BETWEEN MYTH AND NATURE
2 HOURS / 4 KM /LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY
Walking by the sea, leave the small harbour of San Marco and follow the directions to the legendary Punta Licosa. The first section of the itinerary is on a shady path with accommodation facilities surrounded by nature. At first, the path is a paved road but then turns into a dirt road the closer you get to Punta Licosa, proceeding through the Mediterranean scrub woods with the beach constantly on the right.
The plant life is rich in Aleppo pines, lentisks, myrtles and olive trees.
FROM CASAL VELINO TO ACCIAROLI, FOLLOWING THE TYRRHENIAN SEA BLUE HORIZON
3 HOURS / 8 KM / LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: NOT VERY HARD
Along the sides of the Monte Stella there is the path that leads to Acciaroli. The tour starts in Casal Velino, at the “I Moresani” farm holiday, about 1 km from the city centre. Proceeding along a comfortable and well-signposted country road you will reach the small hamlet of Celso, north of Pollica.
From Celso follow the directions to Pollica until you reach the Convento Francescano di Santa Maria delle Grazie (Santa Maria delle Grazie Franciscan Monastery), that overlooks the Tyrrhenian sea blue horizon. Along the downhill road that leads to the town, you will get to the Castello dei Principi Capano (Capano Princes Castle) and the picturesque three-storey square plan tower that overtops all the buildings of the town. After the visit, keep walking towards the coast, until you reach the hamlet of Cannicchio, a nice place with steep terraced streets, and the Chiesa di San Martino, a church on the main street.
Keep walking along the downhill road towards the sea, through hills rich in Mediterranean scrub and farmed fields: you will eventually reach the sea hamlet of Acciaroli, famous for its harbour that is very important for fishing and tourist activities.
GOING BACK TO PISCIOTTA ON THE OLD RAILWAY PATH
1 HOUR / 3.5 KM / LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: NOT VERY HARD
Leaving from Marina di Pisciotta, you can either walk or ride a horse to reach the upper side of the Cilento town, keeping the sea behind you. The tour starts in via Matteo Sabino, near the “Alici di Menaica” shop, that overlooks the local harbour.
The path crosses the old railway, not operating anymore, and goes under the railway bridge. At first, the path is a paved road but then turns into a dirt road. You will proceed along via Marina, enjoying the sight of the famous centuries-old Pisciotta olive trees, and will eventually reach via Giardini in Pisciotta.
FROM THE SAMMARO SPRINGS TO ROSCIGNO VECCHIA
3 HOURS / 6 KM / LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: NOT VERY HARD
The springs of the Sammaro river, one of the main sub-affluents of the Calore river, are not far from the town of Sacco. To reach the Sammaro springs, walk along the steep paved road that goes through the beech trees and oaks wood.
After about 1 km, you will see the road signs to the springs: turn right, taking a wide dirt road that goes to the iron bridge. Keep walking towards the concrete bridge that appears in the distance and you will reach the gorge that houses the springs. The Sammaro springs are formed right under this bridge, that is about 150 metres tall and connects Sacco to Roscigno, among red cliffs that create a breathtaking view.
Along the hiking route that leads to Roscigno Vecchia be very careful, for within the springs area there are slippery rocks and stone chippings that might fall. After you pass the iron bridge, you have to walk uphill towards the “bella addormentata” (sleeping beauty). Proceed along a little-visited path, just be careful as you may walk among brambles and scrubs (even if lately the local authority is taking care of these paths). Once you get to the road, you will see the charming and folk build up area of Roscigno Vecchia.
HIKING TO THE GROTTA DI SAN MICHELE AND TO THE RUPE DI CASELLE IN PITTARI
3 HOURS / 7 KM / LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: NOT VERY HARD
The Sentiero sacro di San Michele (Saint Michael Sacred Path), a path very dear to the citizens of Caselle, leads to the grotto of the same name on the Pittari Mount, 690 metres above sea level, the core of the mass religiousness.
After a 1 hour walk from the city centre, you will reach the highest point so you can enjoy a breathtaking view on the Bussento valley. Here, a grotto houses the sanctuary dedicated to the Archangel Saint Michael, with an exquisite low relief dating back to the 12th century. This grotto recreates a 10 metres long church’s nave, that is between the rocks and protected by an iron gate. You can enter the sanctuary by a brickwork entrance that was built in the 18th century.
Once you are back to the city, you can have some rest and some food at the local pinewood, before proceeding towards the Rupe (Cliff). The tourist path, surrounded by wild nature, will take you in less than half an hour in front of a 150 metres high cliff, among the calcareous rocks. The inghiottitoio del Bussento (Bussento Chasm), also known as the Rupe, is a deep chasm where the river’s water flows under the Pannello Mount to spring up 6 km after in the Morigerati town. The entire area is rich in significant karst examples.
HIKING TO THE BULGHERIA MOUNT AMONG LAVENDER FLOWERS
3-4 HOURS / 6 KM / LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: HARD
The Bulgheria mount has been inhabited since paleolithic and was named after the Bulgarian soldiers that used to live here during the 5th century AD. Its many grottoes used to house the basilian monks as well, that spent their lives working and taking advantage of the natural vegetation growing on the slopes of this beautiful mountain. Nowadays there are beautiful plants growing here, such as lavender (very common on the whole plateau), oregano, liquorice, dog rose and several wild orchid species.
Leaving from via Asti in Celle, proceed crossing the Agropoli-Policastro expressway (also known as Cilentana) and reach the path that leads to the top of the Bulgheria mount. The path is dirt and rocky; you can have a walk, ride a horse or even drive a off-road vehicle to get to the top.
Along the path you might meet foxes, boars or hawks up in the sky. After a 3 hours walk you will reach the top of the mount, close to the lodge (the facility can host at least 10 adults).
SMARTIP
Non andate via da Salerno senza aver assaggiato uno dei dolci della storica pasticceria Pantaleone in via Mercanti.
MAGIA PER LE STRADE DELLA CITTÀ
