TheΒ Province of SalernoΒ is a combination of unique emotions. It is the beauty of the coast. It is the charm of an ancient history. It is the scent of an unspoiled environment. For all these reasons, it seduces and conquers the visitorβs heart upon each new entry intoΒ its territory. It takes very littleΒ to discover itsΒ magic.
Salerno came to prominence as the first faculty-University of the Christian West because of its importance as a center where Islamic science, particularly medicine, became known to Europe.
The principal reason for linking Salerno and Islamic science is the fact that Salerno came to such prominence as the first faculty-University of the Christian West as soon as it received the visit of a scholar known under his European name Constantine the African, a Tunisian in origin (Tunisia being called at that time Ifriqiya, from which was derived the name Africa that designated the whole continent). Islamic medicine really began to make its influence felt at Salerno in the middle of the 11thcentury, precisely following this arrival of Constantine.
The Apennines, certified natural monuments, frame a setting of soft sea breezes, small bays and coves, a pristine coast, streams lined by green forests, picturesque villages, places of a distant past, ancient traditions, and things still made with TLC.
If the appeal of the coast captures the world’s attention, the inland terrainΒ conquers the soul of those that go in search of it.
The marvellous littoral – made up ofΒ beaches, cliffs and enchanting caves, and facing a sea that is a kaleidoscope of colors – prepares the visitor for the splendour of the interior.
The Sarno River traverses green valleys with theΒ Picentini and Lattari MountainsΒ hovering overhead, while landscapes areΒ drawn by theΒ geometric cultivations of intensely-red San Marzano tomatoes. This is a welcoming land marked by enticingΒ flavours and smells, by peace and quiet, all the while recounting its history through palaces, churches and castles, popular traditions and cultural events. And when you arrive inΒ Cilento, you’ll know it.
Sheer cliffs, caves and caverns, white beaches, maquis and a multi-colored sea: such is the Cilento Coast, stretching fromΒ Agropoli to SapriΒ and passing throughΒ many picturesque villages that are filled with history.
Driving inland, the visitor enters the heart of theΒ National Park, a natural treasure where the green of the oak, maple, ash and chestnut forests becomes more intense and, on the mountains, gives way to tall beech forests.
It is a world of contrasts, nonetheless linked oneΒ to theΒ other by the harmony ofΒ thisΒ incomparably beautiful environment.
Memories of a visit here continue to echo inΒ the heart long after leaving.
WHAT TO SEE
Amalfi, with its beautiful beachfront where the streets, alleys and stairs meander through the town toward the Duomo, is known for its magnificent mosaic façade.
Atrani, rather, isΒ a picturesque village where the bright colors of the gardens are interspersed among the white houses.
The elegant and sophisticatedΒ RavelloΒ (home of the famedΒ Festival)Β boasts itsΒ Duomo, as well as the gorgeousΒ Villa CimbroneΒ andΒ Villa Rufolo, a mixture of different styles and periods surrounded by charming terraces.
Minori, famous for the beauty of tits landscape and for its 1st-Century Roman villa, finely decorated with stuccos, mosaics and frescos.
Praiano, then, can be discovered by hiking the trails that wind through an unparalleled naturalΒ environment, or by visiting attractions such as the Church of San Luca Evangelista, that displays marvellous 16th-Century paintings.
PositanoΒ isΒ a gem nestled among stark cliffs, with the threeΒ SirenuseΒ Islets just offshore. The colour of the houses mingles with that of the boutiques, the workshops and the elegant bars and restaurants that enliven the narrow streets.
A visit to theΒ Grotta dello Smeraldo, or Emerald Cave, is a wonderful experience, thanks to the many stalactites and stalagmites, and the bright colour diffused by sunlight thatΒ penetrates through the cracks and crannies of the rocks.
In theΒ CilentoΒ area one can have an ideal vacation experience, within aΒ landscape dotted with charming towns and significant archaeological and historical sites. Innumerable itineraries followΒ trails that narrateΒ millennia of history, all framed by a gorgeous sea and pristine beaches.
WHAT TO DO
The natural environment within theΒ Province of Salerno is akinΒ an open-air gym.
The beauty of the sea is an irresistible call for those that loveΒ snorkeling,Β seawatchingΒ andΒ scuba diving.Β Windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing, sailing, canoeingΒ are also highly recommended.
AΒ boat tripΒ in search of hidden coves orΒ sea grottoesΒ is an experience that leavesΒ indelibleΒ moments impress in the visitor’s memory.
For those who simply desireΒ relaxation in the sun or time to dive into the crystal-clear waters, the topography here gives way toΒ plenty ofΒ beachesΒ andΒ covesΒ abounding with the scent of the maquis, andΒ fresh, caressing breezes.
TheΒ SpasΒ of Contursi and Montesano sulla Marcellana provide treatments utilizing the healing properties of the mineral waters.
For the more intrepid tourist, theΒ Cilento e Vallo di Diano National ParkΒ is ideal. TheΒ Grotte di CastelcivitaΒ trail that winds through tunnels and underground passages filled with stalactites and stalagmites is a must; the trailΒ arrives at the edge of the “death wells,”Β deep water wells.
The itinerary of the Grotte dellβAngelo takes the visitor to the heart of the underground park, 8,202Β feet deep,Β an almost surreal environment.
Trekking, hiking or mountain-bikingΒ are a few ways to discover the beauty of this land.
Cultural events and festivals spice up the villages and towns of the Province. ClaimingΒ international fame is theΒ RavelloΒ Festival, originally established to commemorate the great composer Richard Wagner, but having since evolvedΒ to celebrate a broader concept of music and dance while still clingingΒ its roots. Ravello is called the “city of music”Β and, thanks to the relatively-newΒ Oscar Niemayer Auditorium, the schedule of events is busier than ever before.
TheΒ Regata StoricaΒ is a re-enactment of age of the Maritime Republics β Amalfi, Pisa, Genova and Venice βΒ that has been held by turn in each city for over fifty years. The galleons, built reproducing the original vessels of the era,Β painted with the symbols of the Republics and conducted by a helmsman and eight rowers, challenge one another along a 1.24-miΒ course.
TheΒ International Dance AwardΒ has been held in Positano for over thirty years and is dedicated to the great choreographer LΓ©onide Massine.
Those who loveΒ shopping and souvenirsΒ will be able to choose from the fashions ofΒ Moda Positano,Β the prized Amalfi paper,Β colorful ceramics in Vietri sul Mare, andΒ the unique objects made from the olive-tree leaves of the Cilento zone.
Compelling is theΒ Disfida dei Trombonieri,Β held during the summer in Cava deβ Tirreni in memory ofΒ the Battle of Sarno, where the eight Casali battle with swords and knives to win the silver copy of the Pergamena Bianca, the White Parchment.
Finally, the area is also known for itsΒ nightlife, with many places to visit at night.
WHAT TO EAT
TheΒ cheeseΒ selection is ample in itsΒ flavours and varieties such as buffalo mozzarellaΒ and burrino are all still produced according to centuries-old tradition. (please note that not all cheese is halal so ask when dining).
The variety of products and recipes will not disappoint those seeking the flavours that evoke the passion and the joy of its people.
Fish-based dishes abound for the sampling: thinkΒ spaghetti with clams, fish soup,Β fried anchovies, swordfish rolls,Β octopusΒ cooked with San Marzano tomatoes, andΒ pepperedΒ mussels.
The adventurous spirit behind the pages of British Muslim magazine. As the Editor-in-Chief, Natasha leads with a passion for exploration and a pen dipped in wanderlust. With a keen eye for halal travel experiences and an insatiable curiosity for new experiences, she brings readers along on captivating journeys to far-flung destinations. Through her vibrant storytelling, Natasha invites readers on enriching adventures, where every experience is a window into the muslim world.
