The Vallo di Diano

In the province of Salerno and in particular a few kilometers from the border with Basilicata and Calabria, there is the Vallo di Diano. Probably an area less known and frequented by tourists than the coastal one, but equally fascinating and full of offers to be seized on the fly. Morphologically it is a territory that sees alternating plains and small hills with around fifteen towns such as Padula, Teggiano, Sala Consilina, Sassano and Pertosa. The geological history of Vallo di Diano is very interesting and was formed over the centuries by the slow but inexorable drying up of a Pleistocene lake. This lake transformed for a series of institutional events, in a swamp for which reclamation interventions were necessary which were carried out already in the time of the ancient Romans.

Unfortunately, with the fall of the empire, there was a succession of centuries in which the Wall was the subject of real abandonment, bringing its and gentle cosmetics swampy. We had to wait until the eighteenth century thanks to the arrival of the Bourbons to provide for a decisive intervention thanks to the Royal Lakes and work carried out on the so-called Fossato Bad Weather which is located in the Polla area.

The Maltempo dam – Polla (Sa)

The history of this strip of land, called "Fossato di Maltempo", is fascinating but very troubled. Here for many centuries the Tanagro river overflowed, became swampy and infested the town with malaria, causing serious damage to the population and crops. Which is why the place was the scene of various reclamation interventions; the Sanseverinos had already made important but not decisive maneuvers. Then in the previous century a real consortium was established which dealt with the reclamation and management of the territory from a hydrogeological point of view and this allows us to have the best possible conditions today.

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What to see in Vallo di Diano

Vallo di Diano is fascinating from a landscape point of view because it is a sort of basin enclosed between the mountains of Cilento and those of the Lucanian Apennines. There are many tourist destinations to consider for an alternative but equally satisfying trip, but there is no doubt that the main attraction of Vallo di Diano is the Certosa di San Lorenzo which is located in the Padula area. The Certosa, a true excellence not only of Cilento but of all of southern Italy.

This structure was built in 1306 by the Count of Marsico, Tommaso Sanseverino, who came from a family of Norman origins. Among the most anticipated events concerning the Certosa di Padula and especially Padula, there is the thousand egg omelette. It is an event that recalls a historical event that took place in 1535 and whose protagonist was Charles V of Spain. In practice, when the royal returned from his victory in battle in Tunis, he decided to stop in Padula and precisely at the Certosa together with his army. To help the men exhausted by that long journey and battle, the local population prepared many types of food including an omelette that required the use of 1000 eggs.

Then there are numerous proposals from a naturalistic point of view not to be missed such as the caves of Pertosa where the magnificent Festival of ethnic music and culture entitled Negro is organised. Then there is another very suggestive representation that is organized during the year, dedicated to Dante's Inferno (A new edition is expected soon). Furthermore, it is beautiful to visit these caves which wind along a picturesque and fascinating route.

The proposal of the Vallo di Diano does not end here because there are many religious and architectural structures to visit such as the chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli which is located in Buonabitacolo and the church of the Madonna delle Grazie built during the twelfth century and still appreciable today in its form and characteristics in the Casalbuono area. Among the other unmissable destinations, there is the civic museum in Montesano and the church of San Giovanni Evangelista in Sassano (in Sassano, in spring, don't miss the walk in the Valley of the Orchids).

Also recommended are the remains of the megalithic walls present in the territory of Atena Lucana and the building structure of the Grange of San Lorenzo in Sala Consilina. In short, there are many proposals for organizing a wonderful itinerary to discover the Vallo di Diano.

One of the nicest and most interesting historical re-enactments of the whole Vallo is certainly the one held every year in Sala Consilina: “1535 Charles V in the Terra de la Sala”. This historical event recalls the opulent reception organized in Sala Consilina in 1535, on the occasion of the return of Emperor Charles V from his expedition to Tunis. It has now become an unmissable event for thousands of people who appreciate above all the extraordinary quality of the shows offered and the authenticity of the best dishes of the Salesian culinary tradition.

Among the most famous and appreciated events we remember the unmistakable "At the table of Princess Constance”

The medieval history of Teggiano is marked by two important events: the Conspiracy of the Barons and the Assault on the Castle. The Conspiracy of the Barons is a plot hatched in the XNUMXth century by the southern barons against the Aragonese king Ferdinand I. The Prince of Salerno and Lord of Diano, Antonello Sanseverino, was an undisputed protagonist. Info: https://www.principessacostanza.com

In any case, for completeness of information, these are the municipalities of Vallo di Diano: Atena Lucana, Buonabitacolo, Casalbuono, Monte San Giacomo, Montesano sulla Marcellana, Padula, Pertosa, Polla, Sala Consilina, San Pietro al Tanagro, San Rufo , Sant'Arsenio, Sanza, Sassano and Teggiano.