Santa Maria Di Castellabate: Coast and Culture

Santa Maria Di Castellabate offers several specific points to consider when choosing a destination: the coastal area with its marine protected area, religious traditions in August and historic sites in Santa Maria. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip here, these themes can help you decide what you would like to focus on during your stay. The places and dates named here show what gives the destination its character.

Sea, Coast and August Dates

The Santa Maria di Castellabate Marine Protected Area was established in 2009 within Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. It covers 7,095 hectares of sea and 2 hectares of coastline. Within the protected area, Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows provide shelter for numerous fish and crustacean species. Snorkelling is possible at Secca della Bella because of its shallow waters. The Sanctuary of Santa Maria a Mare is located in the Santa Maria district near Marina Piccola beach—a specific connection between a religious site and the coast.

There are historical traces underwater, too: on the seabed of the marine protected area, the remains of a villa from the Greco-Roman period and a fish-farming basin from the same period are visible. Nature and underwater historical remains are found side by side, although they do not have to be the focus of the same visit.

The annual August dates are easy to distinguish: the Palio della Stuzza takes place on August 14 on Lungomare Perrotti. The religious patron saint festival of Santa Maria a Mare follows every year on August 15. The two celebrations therefore take place on consecutive days, but differ in their occasion and the location named. If you want to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates of the respective events before making plans.

Sanctuary, Local History and Villa

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria a Mare is in Castellabate, in the Santa Maria district, near Marina Piccola beach. The sanctuary has been documented since 1102. The Porticciolo de “Lu Travierso,” also known as Porto delle Gatte, is associated with the earliest documented settlement in Santa Maria di Castellabate. The local history therefore stretches from an early settlement to a sanctuary that is still named today.

The rooms of Le Gatte were used as warehouses for trade with the ports of Cava and Naples. Le Gatte also served as a filming location for the movies “Cavalli si Nasce,” “Noi Credevamo” and “Benvenuti al Sud.” You can view Le Gatte from the outside; access to the restaurant is reserved for guests. The restaurant’s policy may change, so it is a good idea to check before visiting.

Villa Matarazzo dates back to the 19th century and was once a summer residence. Its park contains a rose garden with more than 220 varieties of old roses. The entrance to the villa is at the north end of Corso Andrea Matarazzo in Santa Maria di Castellabate.

Finding Your Way Around

Corso Senatore Andrea Matarazzo is a pedestrian street with shops, bars and restaurants; the businesses and services on offer may change. It connects the northern entrance to Santa Maria with Piazza Lucia in the town centre. These two points provide clear landmarks for finding your way around. The entrance to Villa Matarazzo is also at the northern end of Corso Andrea Matarazzo. The street and the cultural sites mentioned offer different points of reference for planning your trip: local life, history, gardens or the coast.

Discover More Destinations

Pertosa, Perdifumo, Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino, Salerno, Salvitelle, Caggiano, Polla, Giungano

For the overview of the wider area: Salerno.