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Reach places

TRANSPORTS

  • CAR

    Via A1/E45, exit Battipaglia. Follow SS 18 Tirrena Inferiore and SS18var in the direction of Via Stazione FS in San Severino


  • BUS

    By Busitalia line 112 direct to Vallo della Lucania, get off at the Centola stop and continue on foot


  • TRAIN

    From Salerno take the train in the direction of Sapri and get off at Centola-Palinuro-Marina di Camerota

An enchanted place frozen in time

The medieval village of San Severino di Centola represents a place where time has stopped at the beginning of the 20th century. Its strategic position, dwellings, castle, chapels and many other details make the medieval village of San Severino one of the most fascinating places in Cilento.

The ancient village of San Severino di Centola has medieval origins, dating from the 10th to the 11th century. The name of the medieval village is linked to the historical family of the Principality of Salerno, the Sanseverino. It is not clear whether the name of the village derives from the name of the rich and powerful family or vice versa, the fact remains that the ancient village is inextricably linked to the name of the Sanseverino family.

One of the first buildings to be erected on the rock overlooking the Mingardo valley was the castle. The fortress was built in a strategic point of the Mingardo valley. From the old village of San Severino, it is possible to control access to what is known as the Devil's Gorge.

When the castle was built, a chapel and settlement were added, which have survived to the present day. The old village of San Severino di Centola has many stratifications: 10th-11th centuries, the Longobard stratification linked to the birth of the village; 11th-12th centuries with the Norman stratification; 12th-13th centuries in the Swabian period; 13th-14th centuries with the Angevins.

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  • The abandonment of the medieval village of San Severino di Centola occurred during the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. The old houses perched on the rock were difficult to access, which is why the inhabitants of the village began to move further down the valley, where the current Centola - Palinuro - Marina di Camerota railway station is located.
  • A few houses in old San Severino continued to house some families, and it was not until 1977 that the chapel in the old village ceased to be the community church of San Severino.
  • Many buildings are perched on the ridge of the hill. In addition to the dwellings, there are the ruins of the castle, the Longobard tower, as well as the baronial palace and the churches of St. Mary of the Angels and St. Nicholas.
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Glimpses and perspectives

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