Discover Cetara: Colatura, culture and Lannio Beach

Cetara brings together Colatura di Alici and its fishing history with churches, art and trails through the surrounding area. Lannio Beach and recurring festivals also shape the experiences a trip can offer. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between a visit focused on local history, a day at the beach and a specific event date.

Colatura, fishing and the Viceroy’s Tower

Colatura di Alici di Cetara is recognised as a product with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. An annual festival dedicated to this product takes place in the first half of December. It includes tastings of typical local products in Cetara’s main squares. If you would like to experience this particular culinary side of the town, this period is a useful guide for planning your trip.

The museums also explore the connections between the town, fishing and art. The Museum of Fishing and Colatura di Alici is located in the original lower Angevin rooms of the Viceroy’s Tower. The tower combines a cylindrical Angevin section with a two-storey viceregal structure. Nearby, the town museum in Cetara’s tower features permanent exhibitions on Manfredi Nicoletti and the coastal painters known as the “costaioli”, as well as Ugo Marano’s “Museo vivo”.

A small library is also planned for the Museum of Fishing and Colatura di Alici. It is intended to gradually bring together books, historical documents, newspapers, magazines and photographs about Colatura, fishing and Cetara’s roots. The library is therefore described as a collection in development, not as a facility that is already fully available.

Another event connected with fishing is the annual Night of the Lamps, held between late July and early August. The exact date depends on the phases of the moon. At the event, organised by the municipality, visitors have the opportunity to watch a real anchovy catch off Cetara from ferries. Check the exact event date if seeing this is an important part of your trip.

Churches, art and religious dates

The earliest records of the Church of San Pietro Apostolo date back to 988. Its current façade is neoclassical, while the interior is characterised by the late Baroque style. The church is on the central Corso Garibaldi, where other historic landmarks can also be found. This makes it possible to get your bearings while taking in the town’s architectural history.

The Cetara monastery, dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, dates from 1585. In the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi, a Descent from the Cross by Marco Benincasa, dated 1746, is located in the choir behind the high altar. At the entrance to the Church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli, you can see a ceramic panel depicting the Madonna of Constantinople. It was made in 1932 by Ceramica Pinto of Vietri sul Mare. The church was most likely consecrated in 1867.

Recurring religious dates may also influence when you choose to travel: the feast of the patron saint, Saint Peter the Apostle, is celebrated each year on 29 June. The procession of the Immaculate Conception takes place on 8 December at 5 a.m. These dates are distinct from both the December Colatura festival and the summer Night of the Lamps.

Beach and trails as different excursion options

Corso Garibaldi provides a point of reference for finding your way around town; the Church of San Pietro Apostolo is one of the historic landmarks along it. Lannio Beach is one of Cetara’s three beaches and is within walking distance of the town centre. A visit to the beach and a longer walk are therefore different ways to spend time in Cetara.

The hilly trail from Pietra Chiatta to Punta Fuenti takes about an hour. It starts in the open area beside Cetara cemetery. For a different way to explore the surrounding area, the Lemon Tour passes through Cetara’s terraces. The stories told by farmer and fisherman Luigi Di Crescenzo offer insights into the culture of earlier times. Another trail reaches the Santuario dell’Avvocata in just over an hour. This is distinct from a hiking trail that follows the historic link between Cetara and the Badia della SS. Trinità di Cava de’ Tirreni.

Getting there and planning around event dates

From Salerno railway station, travellers can take a SITA bus to Cetara via Vietri. Check the timetable before setting off. If you want to plan your trip around a festival, compare the dates: the Colatura festival takes place annually in the first half of December, while the Night of the Lamps is held between late July and early August and depends on the phases of the moon. This allows you to coordinate your travel and the occasion for your visit without confusing the different events.

Discover more destinations: Bellosguardo, Buonabitacolo, Montecorvino Pugliano, Colliano, Auletta, Roccagloriosa, Capaccio, Castiglione Di Ravello.

For the regional travel overview: Salerno.