Villammare
Discovering Villammare: a tourist destination on the Tyrrhenian coast
Villammare is a beautiful hamlet of Vibonati, in the province of Salerno, located on the Tyrrhenian Sea in the middle of the Gulf of Policastro, along the Lower Tyrrhenian State Road 18. It is a highly renowned tourist destination, characterized by beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters.
An enchanting seaside resort
Villammare beach is frequented by numerous tourists throughout the summer season. Here, one can admire a large representation of Mediterranean dunes and, especially on the Oliveto coastline, the "Pancratium maritimum", also known as the sea lily. The plants present on the Villammare coastline have peculiarities related to the temperate climate, characterized by hot, dry and long summers and mild and rainy winters. Such climatic conditions favor the life of evergreen woody and shrubby species. The entire coastal dune system of the Gulf of Policastro, and in particular Villammare, plays an important role in the ecosystem it contains. It constitutes a natural sediment reserve for the beach and slows down erosion, ensuring the spontaneous vegetation that populates it. It is precisely due to these qualities and the clean sea that Villammare has been awarded the Blue Flag.
Local economy
The local economy is primarily based on tourist activities with numerous hotels and campsites and on tertiary-related initiatives. Villammare is a renowned seaside resort, close to the hills of the lower Cilento and not far from the Cilento Park, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Local culture
Villammare is rich in traditions and secular structures, such as the ancient observation tower built to defend the locality from sea raids by various predatory peoples. On the promontory adjacent to State Road 18, next to a gallery, stands the "Marinella Park". It is a didactic laboratory affiliated with Federico II University of Naples for internships and orientation activities for the study of the Mediterranean maquis, where some agricultural schools carry out research and knowledge on biodiversity.
Since 2002, in the village, there has been a Short Film Festival for Young Directors called "Villammare Film Festival" or "Mediterraneoincorto" in the first week of September in the Maria Santissima di Portosalvo square. Every year, internationally renowned actors participate in the event.
The small village is very devoted to its patron saint (Maria Santissima di Portosalvo). Every year, during the first Sunday of June and the second Sunday of August, the village celebrates the aforementioned Madonna, protector of the fishermen. On this occasion, all the fishermen in the morning, with a group of boats, follow the procession by the sea (only in August) while in the evening the secular procession is made through the streets of the village, carried in turn by the fishermen for reasons of devotion.
Conclusions
In short, Villammare is an ideal tourist destination for those who want to relax in a peaceful atmosphere, admire enchanting landscapes, and immerse themselves in an authentic and rich local culture and history. One can spend whole days at the beach, enjoying the clean sea and beautiful sunsets. Additionally, by participating in numerous local initiatives, such as the Villammare Film Festival or the patron saint festival, guests will have the opportunity to discover the local traditions and culture.
