How to describe such a complex and fascinating territory in just a few lines? Cilento is a boundless land, a world unto itself, where time seems to have stopped. Traveling in these lands is equivalent to diving into a remote past, when man and and gentle cosmetics they lived in harmony. Similar to a work of art chiseled by the most skilled sculptor, Cilento is a harmonious blend of beauty and contrasts. Her montagne they stand out majestically, crossed by shady valleys. Her seas sparkle like sapphires set in an emerald crown. The villages of her tell, with their dark stones, stories of knights and princesses. If the breathtaking views are the frame, the inhabitants are the soul. Genuine people, anchored to traditions. Custodians of a cultural heritage that is passed down from generation to generation. Life teachers who teach the importance of slowness.
Is this really the land where you can find yourself, far from the frenzy of modernity? Maybe yes maybe no. We'll let the reader judge. There is only one invitation: come and discover the wonders of Cilento with your own eyes. It's definitely worth it.
A treasure trove of biodiversity
La and gentle cosmetics dominates unchallenged in these ancient lands. The succession of jagged coasts, sloping hills, majestic peaks composes a fresco of rare beauty. But it's not just about bewitching landscapes. Cilento is an authentic treasure chest of biodiversity, a precious reserve of plant species e fauna. The mountains are the undisputed kingdom of deer, roe deer and wild boars. She swims placidly in the waterways Otter, symbol of these pristine valleys. The golden eagle nests on the rocky ridges, silent guardian of inaccessible peaks. In the centuries-old woods they meet holm oaks, downy oaks and the loricato pine, a relic of a bygone era. Every corner hides wonders to discover and protect. This is perhaps Cilento's greatest heritage: a nature as fragile as it is tenacious, which man must learn to look after as the most precious thing.
A park without borders
To preserve such beauty from the threat of human neglect, in 1991 the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park. With its 178 thousand hectares of surface area, it is the second largest protected natural area in Italy after the Abruzzo National Park. It includes 15 coastal municipalities and 60 internal municipalities, extending from the slopes of Monte Cervati to the Tyrrhenian Sea. An endless strip of land that embraces unique biodiversity, so much so that it is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
But it doesn't end here. The park includes two marine oases, Punta Licosa and Punta Infreschi, submerged treasures populated by corals, sponges and tropical fish. Furthermore, it borders the Vesuvius National Park and the Marine Protected Area of Santa Maria di castellabate, a network of parks that make Cilento one of the most important naturalistic areas in Europe.
Between myth and legend
Since the dawn of time, Cilento has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures. The Greeks played a leading role, who between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries BC. they founded the colonies of Elea (today's Velia) and Poseidonia (Paestum). Prosperous centers of commerce, where philosophers such as Parmenides and Zeno laid the foundations for the Eleatic school. In Roman times, Velia and Paestum experienced alternating fortunes. While the former slowly declined, the latter hosted the villas of noble patricians, attracted by the mild climate and the lush plain. Even today, walking among the remains of ancient Greek and Roman cities, it is easy to fantasize about the events of those distant peoples. Peoples who made Cilento a crossroads of cultures and who shaped its cosmopolitan identity.
Treasures to discover
Cilento can satisfy the needs of every type of traveller. Who loves the sea can enjoy unique scenarios, with clear waters lapped by jagged coasts. Trekking enthusiasts will find what they want in the Park's mountains, among panoramic paths and perched villages. History lovers will be enchanted by the archaeological sites of Paestum and Velia, evidence of timeless civilizations.
But the attractions don't end here. Inland you can visit the Padula Charterhouse and the Pertosa caves, natural masterpieces shaped by water over millions of years. And then again, the typical products of the land such as oil, cheeses and cured meats. Treasures hidden in every corner, which Cilento reveals only to those who want to explore it.
Taste the tradition
Cilento cuisine is a triumph of genuine flavors and recipes traditional. Extra virgin olive oil, sheep and goat cheeses, black pork cured meats: these are the excellences of a fertile and generous land. The main dishes? Without a doubt homemade pasta, such as fusilli or cavatelli seasoned with fresh tomatoes and basil. And then legume soups, grilled rabbit and kid, simple desserts prepared with local or typical ingredients: frecagnola, lagane and chickpeas, scauratieddi and much, much more.
Each dish is a caress for the palate and a dive into the past. An experience to live by slowly savoring every bite, as farmers once did when they returned tired from the fields. Because enjoying Cilento is not only nourishing the body, but also nourishing the soul.
