The territory of the Cilento National Park and the Diano Valley stretches between the coastal area of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Sele Plain to the slopes of the Campania-Lucano Apennines on the border with Basilicata. The vast protected area preserves within it the biodiversity and naturalistic richness not only of forests and highland environments but also of hills and coastal areas.

Food and wine products made by traditional and non-intensive methods are grown and processed here. The richness of this extensive and varied land also lies in its history. There are numerous archaeological sites that rise in some parts of the park. The area has inspired myths and legends since ancient times that still give the park a hint of mystery. The entity is based in the municipality of Vallo della Lucania and was established in 1995.

Visit the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park

From a naturalistic point of view, the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park presents a thriving territory that is home to numerous species of flora and fauna which attract millions of nature enthusiasts so that tourists and visitors are used to organizing excursions and walks by being able to choose from the different territories of the park. Coastal areas, forests, river and marine ecosystems are rich in biodiversity to be discovered.

Cilento, however, is also a land rich in agricultural and craft traditions that give rise to numerous products typical local even primary. Products that are part of our highly envied Mediterranean diet or that tempt the sweet tooth. Finally, the park is dominated by ancient myths and a deep story. Archaeological remains also make this area an interesting destination for cultural tourism.

The park's headquarters is located in the town of Vallo della Lucania. Access is completely free while the activities that take place inside are paid for: it is possible to take boat trips or guided tours of the Certosa di Padula museum as well as visit the archaeological areas of Paestum and Velia. During free excursions on coastal trails or the wooded and riverine areas, do not forget to wear suitable clothing, hiking or sneakers and a cap to shelter from the sun, and always carry a bottle of water.

Flora and Fauna of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park

There are about 1,800 plant species growing on the diverse territory within the boundaries of the park due to the dual geological nature. In the territory, areas of sedimentary rock alternate with areas consisting of limestone rock. Thus, even with respect to the latitude referred to and the relative climatic ranges, the forests of the higher mountain areas, where birch, boxwood, ilex, hornbeam, alder, downy oak, maple and specimens of silver fir grow, give way to verdant Mediterranean scrub as one goes toward the sea.

The scrub mostly consists of heather, terebinth, myrtle, strawberry tree, carob tree and wild olive but also a few specimens of dwarf palm, several species of wild orchids and groves of Aleppo pine. Of particular interest are the species of plants spontaneous natives. These species are native to the Cilento land where they grow wild.

The best known is the Palinuro Primula with its unmistakable yellow flowers collected in inflorescences sprouting from lobed leaves with a serrated margin. This plant, typical of Lucanian and Calabrian environments, grows on limestone rock near the sea on many paths in Cilento. The rock carnation, known as the poets' carnation, also grows on the coastal cliffs of Cape Palinuro and its surroundings. Exceptional note goes to the presence of the rare Bassia saxicola, commonly called granata rupicola, which grows in a few areas in Sicily, mainly on the volcanic island of Stromboli, and in Campania, especially on Ischia. In 2011 it was also found along the cliffs of Palinuro.

Finally, walking along the sandy shores, one can also come across the beautiful yellow broom of Cilento, which populates the coastal areas. The rare and sublime white sea lily finds its habitat in the fine Cilento sand as does the limonium or statice salernitana, commonly called wild chard. In such a thriving and verdant area, an equally numerous and varied amount of animals that inhabit coastal or forested areas of mountains as well as rivers and streams.

At night one often comes across hedgehogs and foxes crossing the road, but these are not the only mammals that inhabit the park. Beech martens, squirrels and hares, but also the rare otter. Several species of wild mice hide among the plants. Also present are the wild cat and the magnificent deer and roe deer reintroduced in 2004 and 2003, respectively. There are numerous wild boars but fortunately also of their natural predators: the wolf, which inhabits the mountain grasslands and highland areas.

Other interesting species of high naturalistic value include the famous golden eagle that soars through the skies of the Cilento area, as well as the colorful partridge and peregrine falcon alongside rare insects such as the hermit osmoderma and alpine rosalia. Other bird species that make these areas the joy of birdwatchers include the short-toed and lanner, raven, several species of kite and eagle owl. Goshawks, woodpeckers, shrikes and jays inhabit the forest while in river and wetland areas it is easier to come across kingfishers, little ringed plovers, dipper and Corsican gulls. In these environments reptiles such as cervon, grass snake, natrix and viper alternate with amphibians such as spectacled salamander and newt, howler, several species of frogs and toad.

Numerous species of bats inhabit the caves, while swallows nest among the rocks of coastal headlands but also among the walls of houses and urban buildings. Recently, in the summer months, numerous are the nests of the sea turtle, the caretta caretta. These are preserved and guarded by volunteers who fence them off and keep them under observation.

During some summer evenings, the young emerge from their eggs and run to the sea between lidos and bathing establishments. To witness these births is a very rare sight. Invisible and too distant are the cetaceans that swim off the Cilento coast. These include the sperm whale and some dolphin species.

The tradition of Cilento's unique crops and handicrafts

Of the food and wine wealth peculiar to the Cilento area, are the various products grown or obtained thanks to the fertility of the land and the long tradition handed down from father to son. As far as fruit is concerned, it is hard not to know the very famous Cilento white fig. With figs, which can be eaten either fresh or dried, the people of Cilento really do everything with them. Typical are the very tasty "fico monnato," which is peeled and dried in the sun, and "spaccafico," a very special grappa flavored thanks to the presence of figs that give it a unique, sweetish note.

The chestnut called Marrone di Roccadaspide IGP, on the other hand, is grown in the higher areas. A number of cultivars are produced in the gardens, such as: the Pertosa artichoke and the Paestum IGP round artichoke, the Vatolla onion, the Cicerale chickpea, the Maracuoccio of Lentiscosa, a particular type of pea, the Controne bean and the Casalbuono beans. Also renowned are menaica anchovies and cheeses. Among the latter are Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, Pecorino, Caciocavallo Podolico and Cacioricotta del Cilento. Soppressata di Gioi and Vallo di Diano sausage.

Cereals include Pruno's Carosella Wheat, locally called "carosedda," a seed grown in the area since ancient times, and Russulidda and Ianculidda Wheat, which are also ancient varieties of wheat. Several varieties of wines fall under the Castel San Lorenzo DOC and the Cilento DOC. Highly appreciated for their organoleptic properties and delicate flavor are the PDO extra virgin olive oils produced in the vast olive groves that characterize part of the park's territory.

Between history and mythology of the Cilento and Vallo Diano National Park

Several sites archaeology of considerable importance. Evidence of ancient Greek colonies that inhabited these lands long before us. In addition to the three main cultural sites of n actional importance such as that of Paestum, the park of Elea or Velia, and the Carthusian Monastery of Padula, for which the park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are also archaeological areas in the localities of Marina di Camerota, Monte Pruno, Moio della Civitella, and in Roccagloriosa with its City of Leo. The most important and famous cultural site in the Cilento Park is at Paestum.

Three temples built at the time of Magna Graecia when this city bore the name Poseidonia stand in this area. The largest is the Temple of Neptune, which dates back to 460 BC. The Temple was mistakenly attributed by 18th-century scholars to Neptune who was the patron deity of ancient Poseidonia. More recent studies attribute the building to Hera or Apollo or even Zeus because of the classical architectural structure of Doric order.

The Temple of Athena, on the other hand, is the smallest of the three temples. Built during 500 BC, it was formerly known as the Temple of Ceres. In Doric style it also features Ionic columns in the cella. Finally, the Basilica, or Temple of Hera, was built between 540 and 550 BC. Because of its architectural structure, which includes a portico with an odd number of columns, it was mistakenly called a basilica in the building's proper meaning, that is, a place used for city assemblies and a court of law. It is actually a real temple dedicated to the deity of fertility, life and birth. Many artifacts and artifacts were found in the city, which are now housed in the National Archaeological Museum.

An ancient center of Magna Graecia was the city of Elea or Velia, founded during the 6th century BC. The archaeological area of Velia, still holds the ancient structure of the Greek city. Well identified are the agora, the acropolis, the harbor, some quarters and the Roman and Hellenistic baths. The entrance is from Porta Rosa where stands the monument that served as a link both between the two quarters of the city and between the summits of the acropolis. Last among the three major cultural sites is the fascinating Charterhouse of Padula or Charterhouse of San Lorenzo. Founded in 1306, it is the largest Carthusian monastery in Italy, which includes inside it the largest cloister in the world. Home to the Lucania Provincial Archaeological Museum, it was built in the Baroque style and its rooms display collections of artifacts found in the necropolises of Padula and Sala Consilina.

Also strong is the mythology that belongs to the Cilento National Park. About the origins of the naturalistic and pristine Punta Licosa is told a legend. It is said that it was here that the body of the mermaid Leucosia emerged. The creature had tried to beguile Odysseus with her irresistible song, but he managed to escape her, and she, feeling rejected and pining for love, gave herself up to death in the most extreme part of the Gulf of Salerno. According to the myth Instead, the name of Palinuro, a popular seaside tourist destination, derives from Aeneas' traveling companion.

After a violent shipwreck the company of the hero of the Aeneid was disbanded. The goddess Venus asked the sea god Neptune for help in getting her protégés to safety. So the god decided to help her but wanted only one victim in return. When Palinuro landed on the beach that lies between Pisciotta and the Gulf of Policastro, he was mistaken for a sea monster and cruelly killed by the locals. His body was never found again, condemning Palinuro to wander forever among the souls of the unburied.