Castelnuovo Cilento
Welcome to Cilento: a journey through myths and antiquities
If you are looking for a destination in Italy, we recommend visiting Cilento, a wonderful area in Campania. Cilento is a region that offers a combination of exceptional natural landscapes, gastronomy, and history. Here you can walk along the Tyrrhenian Sea coast and discover Greek and Roman mythology.
Mythology
Cilento has been the stage for many legends and myths from ancient times, many of which have been told by poets and writers. The most famous, undoubtedly, is that of the island of the Sirens. According to Homer, these creatures attracted sailors with their song, but then made them crash onto the rocks. The island that inspired the myth is probably the one in front of the coast of Licosa. Here, many tourists go by boat to admire the beauty of the place and understand the charm of the myth. Another myth is that of Palinuro, the helmsman of Aeneas, who fell into the sea with the rudder and clung to the wreck for three days. When he finally arrived ashore, he was killed by the inhabitants of those places. In his honor, the promontory took the name of Capo Palinuro. Another important myth is that of Jason and the Argonauts, who stopped at the sanctuary of the goddess Hera at the mouth of the Sele River.
From prehistory to great Greek philosophers
Cilento has hosted man since the Middle Paleolithic. Traces of its presence are evident from the Middle Paleolithic to the Neolithic, up to the ages of metals. Nowadays, these findings can be seen in the numerous museums of the region. You can visit the coastal caves of Camerota, where the remains of hominids of the Homo camaerotensis species were discovered; Palinuro, where materials from the stone industry have been found; and many other places where Paleolithic artifacts and Gaudo funerary furnishings have been found.
But Cilento is not only prehistory. Here, some of the main ancient philosophers were ideated, such as Zeno of Elea, who taught logic and was the inspiration for the Eleatic school; Parmenides, a pre-Socratic philosopher who influenced Plato's theory of Being; and Democritus, considered the father of atomic theory.
History
Cilento has a very ancient history. In Roman times, it was part of Lucania and later of the Citeriore Principality, with Salerno as its capital. In the Middle Ages, Cilento was contested between wars and conquests. Prince Guaimario IV of Salerno was ousted by Robert Guiscard in 1076, and the Barony of Cilento arose, which, at the beginning of the 12th century, passed to the Sanseverino family, princes of Salerno, who held Cilento until 1552.
The Cilento National Park
Today, Cilento is a protected area, the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, which protects the natural landscapes and fauna of the region. The park offers numerous activities for visitors, such as hiking on mountain trails, visiting the oldest cities in the region, and much more. The sea is also a very popular destination for tourists, with wonderful beaches and a wide variety of water activities.
Gastronomy
Cilentan cuisine is famous for its simplicity and the use of natural ingredients. Here you can try buffalo mozzarella, San Marzano tomato, olive oil and local wine. Typical dishes of the region include fish soup, Luciana octopus, spaghetti with clams, and many other specialties.
Conclusion
Cilento is one of the most fascinating destinations in southern Italy, with a unique combination of natural landscapes, history, mythology, and gastronomy. All that remains is to book your trip and discover Cilento!
