Discover Roccadaspide: Castle, Old Town and Chestnut Culture

Roccadaspide offers three distinct themes to consider when planning your trip: the castle and churches, the Percorso delle due Fonti, and chestnut culture. When looking for a hotel in Roccadaspide, you can consider which of these aspects you would like to shape your stay. The town's history and its landscape and culinary traditions offer concrete points of reference.

The Castle and the Layout of the Old Town

According to historical sources, Castello di Roccadaspide was built in 1245 on an existing fortification known as the Rocca. This gave the town its name. The castle has a perimeter of 400 metres, divided by seven towers. Inside are 33 rooms, prisons, a torture chamber and the castle gardens. The castle thus brings together several aspects of the town's history in a single building.

The lanes also offer clues to the historic layout of the centre. Most were once laid out as stairways and, with the exception of the path leading up to Serrone, pass through distinctive vaulted passages to the square in front of the castle entrance. If you are interested in urban history, these routes complement the picture conveyed by the castle, its towers and interiors.

Churches and Historic Buildings

Chiesa dell'Assunta, also known as Chiesa dei Santi Patroni Sinforosa e Getulio, is in the historic centre and is considered the oldest church in the town. It was probably built before the year 1000 by survivors of the destruction of nearby Paestum. This account links the church's early history to an important historic landmark in the area.

A different point in time is associated with Chiesa Natività Beata Maria Vergine. It was built in 1608 and first restored in 1750. The church has three naves. Its bronze portal, created by sculptor Vincenzo Carucci, depicts scenes from the Old and New Testaments, as well as details from Roccadaspide's civic and religious history. Its design, date and portal offer different ways to understand the town's religious buildings.

The Carmelite monastery dedicated to Santa Maria dell'Arco e del Carmine is now a ruin. It was demolished in the 1950s, and its stones were used for rural roads in the municipality. The Franciscan monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, also known as Convento di S. Antonio dei Conventuali Minori, lies below the historic centre and was built in 1415. The two monastic sites thus represent different periods in the history of local architecture.

At Cappella di San Michele in Località Fonte, a different detail takes centre stage: it stands alone on a hill, surrounded by oak and olive woods, near the Fonte spring. Its furnishings include a valuable polychrome wooden statue of the Archangel Michael from the 16th century. The artist is unknown; the statue has been restored several times, including in recent years.

The Percorso delle due Fonti

If you would rather focus on a landscape route than on architectural history, the Percorso delle due Fonti is a distinct option. It links the springs of Forma and Germanito and offers views along the way of the Piana del Sele and the Monti Alburni. The route is mostly level and has numerous places to stop and rest, where you can pause in the shade. The views and opportunities to rest give a clear impression of what makes the route distinctive.

Chestnut Culture and Cuisine

Roccadaspide is associated with the regional chestnut product Marrone di Roccadaspide IGP. Written evidence of chestnut cultivation in Cilento dates back to 1183–1184. This early mention and the present-day IGP designation are two distinct points of reference for the chestnut tradition.

Traditional dishes from Roccadaspide include Cavatielli, Fusilli with castrated-mutton sauce and Rafaiuoli with ricotta. At the Festa della Castagna in the historic centre, visitors can sample chestnut-based dishes and typical Cilento products such as bread, cheese and wine. If you are planning your trip specifically around the Festa, check the exact event dates before you travel.

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