Cersuta: Pebble Beaches, Church and Skywalk

When looking for a hotel in Cersuta, you can start by asking yourself what you want your stay to focus on: the pebble beaches, the town’s history or the view from Skywalk Maratea. The town offers different points of interest, from a church with works of art to a suspended terrace overlooking the cliffs and the Gulf of Policastro.

Pebble Beaches, Cave and Place Name

Cersuta has two pebble beaches. The few houses are scattered amid dense vegetation. Both the individual houses and the greenery are therefore part of the landscape of this hamlet. The place name also has a local connection: Cersuta derives from the dialect word cersa for “oak.” This linguistic trace adds a little story about the name to help you find your way around the area.

The names of individual places help you find your way along the coast. Rena d’u Nastru beach lies between the settlement of Cersuta and the rock on which Torre Apprezzami l’Asino stands. Grotta di Cersuta, also known as Grotta della Provvidenza, lies above Rena d’a Carruba. A freshwater spring rises inside the cave. The beach, rock and cave are distinct features of the landscape; their locations give you a concrete idea of what the respective place names refer to.

Church and Art in Cersuta di Maratea

The Chiesa della Madonna Addolorata is in the oldest part of the hamlet of Cersuta di Maratea. It was built in the 17th century; its simple architecture is associated with the 18th-century style. Arches along the sides serve as side chapels. The date of construction and the architectural layout are therefore two distinct aspects of the church.

The works of art also feature different subjects: a fresco of Christ on the cross with Mary and Mary Magdalene is located above the main altar. An anonymous artist painted it in the 19th century. There is also a painted wooden statue of the Madonna Addolorata dating from 1899. If you are interested in religious art, this one place lets you distinguish wall painting and wooden sculpture as well as the architectural features. The church is in the oldest part of the hamlet and adds a historical point of interest to the coastal locations.

Viewpoint and History of the SS 18

Skywalk Maratea is a suspended terrace in Cersuta di Maratea on the SS 18, at the location known as Apprezzami l’Asino. From there, visitors can see the cliffs of Maratea and the Gulf of Policastro. The terrace serves as a viewpoint at sunset. Torre Apprezzami l’Asino stands on a sea-facing rocky cliff beside a bend in the former SS 18. This road was abandoned after a tunnel was built.

When finding your way around, it is worth distinguishing between the two references to the SS 18: the Skywalk is on the SS 18; the tower stands beside a bend in the former road, which was abandoned after the tunnel was built. The view from the terrace and the location of the tower thus highlight different aspects of Apprezzami l’Asino. Together with the church, they offer a clear choice between scenic views, local history and art.

Getting There and Choosing Where to Stay

Cersuta can be reached by car or by public buses on the Maratea–Sapri route. The Costa Nord bus service serves the coastal hamlets of Cersuta and Acquafredda. As bus services and timetables can change, check the current timetable when planning your journey. This lets you factor in the bus connection without relying on a specific departure time.

When searching for hotels in Cersuta, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip. Would you like to explore the pebble beaches and coastal scenery, are you particularly interested in the church and its works of art, or is the view from the Skywalk your priority? The places mentioned each have a different focus.

Discover more destinations: Rapone, Trivigno, Pescopagano, Pignola, Calvello, Forenza, Francavilla In Sinni, Pietrapertosa.

For the overview of the wider area: Potenza.