Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To get here by car take the SS18 from Paestum towards Salerno and follow the signs.
Grotte dell'Angelo
( 0975 39 70 37;
www.grottedellangelo.sa.it
;
Pertosa; guided visits adult/reduced €13/10; 9am-7pm Apr &
May, 10am-7pm Jun-Aug, 10am-6pm Sep, reduced hours rest of year; )
At the park's eastern edge,
this cave system is younger than the Grotta di Castelcivita, dating back a mere 35 million
years to the Neolithic period. Used by the Greeks and Romans as places of worship, the
caves burrow through the mountains for 2500m, with long underground passages and
lofty grottoes filled with a mouthful of stalagmites and stalactites.
By car, take the A3 southbound from Salerno, exit at Petina and follow the SS19 for
9km.
CAVE
MONASTERY
Certosa di San Lorenzo
( 0975 77 74 45; Padula; adult/reduced €4/2; 9am-7pm Wed-Mon)
One of southern Europe's largest
monasteries, the Certosa di San Lorenzo covers 250,000 sq metres. Begun in the 14th cen-
tury and modified over time, it was abandoned in the 19th century, then suffered further
degradation as a children's holiday home and later a concentration camp. Numerologists
can swoon at the following: 320 rooms and halls, 2500m of corridors, galleries and hall-
ways, 300 columns, 500 doors, 550 windows, 13 courtyards, 100 fireplaces, 52 stairways
and 41 fountains - it's
huge.
As you will unlikely have time to see every- thing here, be sure to visit the highlights,
including the vast central courtyard, the magnificent wood-panelled library, sumptuously
frescoed chapels and the kitchen with its grandiose fireplace, vibrant maiolica tiles and
famous tale: apparently this is where the legendary 1000-egg omelette was made in 1534
for Charles V. Unfortunately, the historic frying pan is not on view - just how big was it,
one wonders?
Within the monastery you can also peruse the modest collection of ancient artefacts at
the
Museo Archeologico Provinciale della Lucania Occidentale
(
0975 7 71 17;
8am-1.15pm & 2-3pm Tue-
Sat, 9am-1pm Sun)
.
For guided hiking opportunities, contact
Gruppo Escursionistico Trekking
(
0975 7 25 86;
0974 84 33 45;
www.trekkingcilento.it
;
Via Cannetiello 6, Agropoli)
.
Sleeping & Eating
