Located on the border between the Gulf of Salerno and the Cilento coast, Agropoli is one of the most beautiful and picturesque seaside towns in Campania. As is also evident from its ancient Greek name of Akropolis, the town was built on a promontory overlooking the sea and is part of the Cilento National Park. Precisely because of its strategic location, Agropoli was able to thwart various attempts to invade by sea.

Today it is one of the most popular beach destinations in the Cilento thanks to its vast artistic and cultural heritage and a coastline rich in beaches of soft golden sand and crystal clear water. To explore Agropoli, therefore, one can start with its historic center, also known as the old town. This primitive core was built by the Greeks in the 5th century against a rocky ridge overlooking the harbor.

Access to the historic center is located at the end of Corso Garibaldi. It is necessary to walk along the Ascent of the Scaloni, a long flight of wide, low steps leading up to a 17th-century crenellated gate. On the arch of Porta Saracena stands the marble coat of arms of Agropoli's last feudatory family, the Delli Monti Sanfelice dukes. Before entering the old town, one also encounters Piazza Luisa Sanfelice and a bench commemorating the memory of this historical figure.

Entering the historic center, one finds oneself in a maze of narrow streets, centuries-old buildings and churches of medieval origin. One of the main points of interest is the Agropoli Castle, a military fortress dating back to the Middle Ages. The original structure was built by the Byzantines, while the present appearance is due to renovations made by the Aragonese and the Sanseverino family in the 15th century.

All these changes gave the castle the shape we can observe today. The triangular plan includes three circular towers, and all around is a deep moat. Access is via a drawbridge, and among the various interior rooms we have the Hall of the French, so named for hosting Napoleon's troops. Today the building hosts exhibitions and cultural events of various kinds.

A short distance from the Saracen Gate you can also see the Church of Our Lady of Constantinople. According to legend, the Ottoman pirate Barbarossa sacked the town in 1535 and many inhabitants were deported to Africa. Some believers managed to secure the statue of the Virgin in a cave, where it will remain for a long time.

Years later some fishermen found the sacred object and built a chapel in its honor. Since then several apparitions of Our Lady would occur to protect the fishermen. For this reason, every July 24 Agropoli celebrates the Blessed Virgin Mary of Constantinople with a procession at sea.

If you too would like to admire all these attractions scattered in the heart of Agropoli's old town, you can contact us to arrange a guided tours. We are waiting for you!