Journey into the past

From the fifth century BC on, two important centres of Greek culture were to be found along the coast of the Cilento: Poseidonia, later to become Paestum, and Elea, present-day Velia.

Even today, you can visit three extremely well preserved Greek-Doric temples at  Paestum. It was only in 1968 that the "Tomb of the Diver" was discovered – its five frescoes bearing significant testimony to antique artistry.

 Velia gained importance due to its famous school of philosophy, its main representatives being Parmenides and Xenon. Today, you can visit the remains of this town with its amphitheatre and its town gate Porta Rosa.

 Acciaroli, the fishing village located on a cape, was visited several times by the author Hemingway.

The picturesque town of Scario at the Gulf of Policastro has been chosen as a summer resort by well-to-do Romans and Neapolitans.

The town of Palinuro owes its name to the helmsman from Virgil's Aeneis who fell overboard and drowned while navigating around the cape. Today, fishermen take you safely to the grottos which are accessible only by boat and which can easily match their famous sister on Capri.

Located on a hill and also World Heritage Site,  Castellabate invites you with its winding alleys and village palaces. With its romantic nooks and corners,  Pisciotta, its medieval centre and authentic village life are equal in rank.  Camerota, located on a plateau, is also worth a visit.

Wonders of nature upcountry

Near Morigerati lies one of the grand wonders of nature of Campania: It is here that the river Bussento, after running several kilometres underground, resurfaces, framed by a spectacular canyon.

Impressive caves can be admired at Pertosa and Castelcivita (as an alternative on a day of bad weather, e.g.).

In the course of millions of years, the karst mountains have given birth to fantastic stalactite and stalagmite formations. Several kilometres of underground cave country are awaiting their visitors.

Culinary delights

The Cilento landscape is strongly defined by evergreen olive trees. Whoever wants to can take part in the autumn harvest. The mild olive oil is meanwhile produced with the "D.O.C." guarantee of quality, often also as an eco-product. Good olive oil is offered, for example, at the  Landgut Fasani, where products in small quantities can be purchased directly, or at the Cooperativa San Mauro Cilento, which also organizes Cilento evenings, meals included.

Water buffaloes play the main role in the plain of Piana di Sele around Paestum and they provide the exclusive mozzarella di bufala. On the ecologically managed country estate Tenuta Vannulo, you can, for example, watch the impressively big but at the same time gentle animals at close range, try wonderful creamy and savoury mozzarella and watch the casari at work as they deftly pluck off pieces from the still warm loaf of cream cheese. Thus, the origin of the word mozzarella quickly becomes clear: ‘mozzare’ means ‘to pluck off’.