Discover Ogliastro Cilento

Ogliastro Cilento sits on a hill overlooking the Paestum plain. Its churches, palazzi and agricultural heritage offer a variety of historical points of interest. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ogliastro Cilento, you can plan your trip around whether you’re especially interested in churches, palazzo architecture or the rural past. The dates and details vary considerably: they range from a 16th-century parish church to an oil mill dating from 1882 and a palazzo completed in 1525.

Churches and palazzi in the townscape

The parish church of Santa Croce dates from the 16th century and has five altars. These are associated with the prominent local families Cecchi, Crisci, De Pascale, Nigro and Rotolo. This links the history of the church building to specific families. Both the number of altars and their associations are among the church’s distinctive details.

Palazzo Cirota also dates from the 16th century. Its two wings are connected by the Arco dei Cirota, dated 1841 and also known as the Lovers’ Arch. The construction period and the date of the arch mark different points in the building’s history: the palazzo dates back to the 16th century, while the arch dates to 1841.

At Palazzo De Falco, architectural history meets archival history. The palazzo dates from the 15th century and has 35 rooms, an armory, a library and a chapel. The De Falco family’s historical archive in the palazzo has been designated by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage as being of particular historical and artistic interest. The rooms and archive mentioned here show how the building can be viewed not only in terms of its date, but also its architectural and cultural features.

Agricultural heritage and traces of the past

Palazzo De Stefano was completed in 1525. Historically, it served as a strategic agricultural center, with extensive areas for storing and processing agricultural and animal products. Its historical use as an agricultural center sets Palazzo De Stefano apart from the parish church of Santa Croce, with its five altars, and Palazzo De Falco, with its archive.

Palazzo e frantoio Crisci includes an oil mill dating from 1882. Its old stone millstones were powered by mules until the beginning of the 20th century.

Cappella Maddalena is also associated with a historical date: it was built a few decades after the plague of 1656. Its construction is therefore linked in time to a pivotal event in local history. Together with the parish church, the palazzi and the oil mill, the chapel broadens the picture of the religious and agricultural heritage of Ogliastro Cilento.

Routes and getting there

The Cammino della Memoria is a cultural and tourist trail in Ogliastro Cilento. One route starts south of Ogliastro Cilento, passes through the historic town center and continues to Prignano.

The nearest train station to Ogliastro Cilento is Agropoli-Castellabate. If you’re planning to travel by train, check the relevant connection and departure times in the timetable. The town’s history and the routes mentioned here offer different ways to shape your stay, from its religious and architectural details to its agricultural past and a route through the historic center.

Discover more destinations: Foria Di Centola, Marmorata, Ostigliano, Tortorella, Alani, Centola, Pertosa, Arenabianca

View the broader travel guide: Salerno.