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Castellabate

The bay of Castellabate is one of the most enchanting coastal habitats, full of nature and cultural memories of the south of Italy. Land of antique traditions, reserve from the art culture to nature study, to the passioned sportsman and the curious tourist, never ending opportunities, excursions , knowledge, and amusement.

Will follow an itinerary to discover the wonderful Castellabate territory.

Arriving to the village of " Lago", by the state road 267, you cross a route of great natural suggestion, which can be appreciated better by horseback, following the forest paths, across the Pine woods of Aleppo, finally arriving to the prominent of Punta Tresino, the centre of the ancient Greek colony Trezene. From here you will come to a village founded in the year 1000 and abandoned in the 18th century, which is called San Giovanni, after the tumbled down church, which still unchanged , demonstrates the refined character of its walls from the late 17th century.

Return to the state road 261 and follow it in the southern direction for Santa Maria of Castellabate. The town that faces the sea, was of the Leucosia mermaids, and has conserved intact the enchantment of the old fishermen village, where the traces of the passed are strongly tied and influenced by the Abbey of Cava dei Tirreni , (which between its properties was the splendid Castellabate, because at this time Santa Maria was its navel point and commercial stop), as before, in the Roman history, Greek colonies and pre-Greeks.

The two entrances into the town are marked by the presents of two ancient villas. The villa of the Prince of Belmonte and the villa Matarazzo, centres of interest and cultural activities, with century old trees and rare and precious plants growing in their gardens, behind great walls. It is however, the marina that gives us the deepest room for thought : between Punta dell'inferno and the beach of "Pozzillo" , the antique structure of the "Puorto u'Traviersi",( today known as the Porto delle gatte ), the following of fishermen's houses and noble palaces, one of them, the Perrotti Palace, built around the powerful tower for the defence system of the normnno-aragonese coast, the roads that lick against the sand dunes on the dark rocks, it is really possible to hear the enchanting singing of Leucosia, this deep tie, of the people ,with their sea. Strong ties for a unique sea , dangerous and generous, the first navel reserve, where the lovers of deep sea diving, can learn more about its natural and archaeology aspects , programming an excursion with the various centres and associations of the underwater sector, for support and a point of reference for the biological and archaeological marine interest in this Mediterranean area .

Come out of Santa Maria and taking the road in the southern direction, on the left taking you to Castellabate is the local variant SS267, in a few minutes along a steep, winding road, you reach a flat space, at around 280 meters, here a beautiful panorama separates you from the sea.

Castellabate is really an extraordinary unique place, one of the most beautiful old towns, not only of the Cilento National Park, but of all the southern tyrrhenian coast , both for its art and culture treasures and for its privileged geographical position, strategy dominating on the west , reflecting on the sea ,closed in between Punta Tresino and Punta Licosia , and to the south , on the sweet cultivated hills of antique Cilento.

Rich of history, Castellabate ties its name to the founder of its castle , on the 10th. October, 1123 by the 1V Abbot of Cava dei Tirreni, S. Costabile Gentilcore, and owes a lot of its lustre and its refine culture to the influence over the centuries, also social and economic to the Benedettino Monastery Order. The medieval town splendidly conserved and generally well restored, keeping to the original town plan, with the small kitchen gardens, the intercommunicating houses and narrow lanes; a plan that was developed in the centuries around the Castle and the Basilica Romanica di S. Maria de Gulia and its beautiful bells, and with which it has profited of beautiful examples of religious and residential architecture , often of the seventh century, like in the case of the Inauinto Palace or in the Perrotti Palace, proudly tied to the hospitality reserved at Gioacchino Murat.

Return back down the road to reach the state road 267, take the south direction, this brings you to a crossroads. This is the Torretta zone, where stands a splendid honourable Castle. Situated further south at the base of the prominent of Punta Licosa , the marine of San Marco, gives precious testimony , with the remains of the Greek-Roman Port, to the small port of a notable float of fisherman's boats, consisting of the classic "Cianciole". In the summer the port becomes an important shelter for the pleasure boats. Not far from San Marco there is Punta Licosa, which can be reached by foot following a mule track, permitting you to admire splendid groups of houses. After about 45 minutes , you come to a point where an old tower rises, with a stony beacon. This gets its name from the Leucosia mermaids, it is said that who throws himself in the sea finishes up buried . It can be reached by Ogliastro Marina also, a small sailors and tourist centre, then passing through a long avenue of carob and d'aleppo pine trees, cultivated olives , vines and bushes of mediterranean shrub. A boat excursion ,to admire the clear green water is very relaxing.

Sports and free time in Castellabate

Our Favorite Restaurants in Castellabate

Tourist sights in the area - Distances and driving times

Villas and apartments for rent near Santa Maria di Castellabate:

Villas and apartments for rent near San Marco di Castellabate:

Casa Gloria A, apartment near San Marco di Castellabate
(150 m/164 yards from the town center), sleeps 5.

Go to:

Cilento National Park

Acciaroli
Agropoli
Ascea Marina - Velia
Castelcivita
Castellabate
Marina di Camerota
Padula
Paestum
Palinuro
Perdifumo
Pertosa
Teggiano

The Amalfi Coast

Sorrentine Peninsula

The Gulf of Naples

Nearby sights
Pompeii
The Royal Palace of Caserta
Naples
Salerno

Rent your holiday cottage in the Cilento National Park!

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