Places to visit
AGROPOLI
This charming old fishing village owes its name (Akropolis means 'hightown') to the characteristic position of its medieval core which is actually perched on a high promontory overlooking the sea. Topped by a crumbling old Byzantine castle, the old town, with its winding alleys, the watchtower, the ancient church of St Peter and Paul and so on is a real rewarding stop.
Besides, thanks to its pretty beaches, among which the renowned bay of Trentova, Agropoli is presently one of the most lively and popular seaside resorts of the Salerno coast.
PAESTUM (10 kms away)
One of the enduring images of Southern Italy is that of three majestic Greek temples standing in fields of wild red poppies.
The so-called Temples of Neptune, Temple of Ceres and the Basilica are the best-preserved monuments of Magna Graecia, as the Greeks called their colonies in southern Italy and Sicily. These, together with the Amphitheatre and many other ruins, are ringed by an impressive 5 km of walls, subsequently built and rebuilt by both Lucanians and Romans.
A walk around the temples by night will give you a very evocative and magical sensation.
Just east of the site there is a well-appointed museum which houses a collection of weathered precious finds. Among these a cycle of Lucanian tombs dating back to the 4th Century B.C., whose famous Diver's Tomb, represents the only existent example of painting in the Magna Graecia dating back to the Greek times.
VELIA (30 kms away)
Less famous than the temples of Paestum, the Archaeological Park of Velia is yet not to be missed by the archaeology lovers. It comprises the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Elea, whose fame is tied to the great philosophers Parmenides and Zeno and to the celebrated School of Medicine, later inherited by Salerno.
Already inhabited in the Neolithic period, Elea (Velia being its roman name), was founded in the 6th century BC by the Greeks from Focea and soon became a flourishing maritime centres in the Tyrrhenian area.
AMALFI COAST (60 kms away)
Also named the "Divine Coast", Amalfi coast is one the most breathtaking coastlines in Europe. Stretching from Vietri sul Mare to Sorrento, it is a really narrow asphalt ribbon winding along majestic cliffs that drop to crystal-clear blue waters and passing through the beautiful towns of Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Maiori e Minori.
The scenery is rich in lush vineyard and citrus terraces, colourful houses peering down from their lofty lookout, tiny harbours, bays and coves like the Emerald Grotto at Conca dei Marini and the Fjordo di Furore. Not to mention the plenty of churches, monasteries, historical villas which contribute to make the Divine one of the most attractive tourist resort in the world.
The area is also famous for its ceramics.
CASTELCIVITA CAVES (55 kms away)
Together with Pertosa/Auletta Caves, the grottoes of Castelcivita are the main natural attraction of the Alburni Mountains.
With its 1700 mts of touristic way out of a total of 5000 mts, it represents one of the largest speleological areas in southern Italy.
The speleological tour, about three kms long, will lead you into a fairy and magical underworld, made of tunnels, gorges, wells and caverns animated by the “drawings” left by calcareous formation.
PUNTA LICOSA (20 kms away)
The pine forest of Punta Licosa is splendid and uncontaminated and its sea is among the clearest seas of Italy. These waters, declared Underwater Marine Park, are a true paradise for passionate deep sea divers.
In the isle of Licosa Lucan tombs as well as the remains of a small Roman village covered because of bradyseism, were discovered. There are also testimonies of prehistoric settlements and a Roman sea complex with fish farms.
Punta Licosa is also considered the place where Homer sets the episode in which the sirens strive for making Ulysses shipwreck by their enchanting song. Actually, in the isle there also the remains of a 5th century temple dedicated to the Sirens. According to the legend told by Aristotle, the Siren Leucosia threw herself into the sea for not managing to bewitch Ulysses and she turned herself into stone thus giving life to the little isle of Licosa.
B&B LA LUNA NELLA MANO
Agropoli (Salerno)
At 3.5 kms from the town
BBC
Bed & Breakfast in country side
Closed: 1/1 - 28/2; 6/11 - 4/12
Villa with garden
Address:
via Campanina
84043 Agropoli (Salerno)
ITALY
tel.: (+39) 0974.1936511
mobile: (+39) 339.1954691
Rooms: 3
Beds: 6
Baths: 2