Castellabate ( Cilentan: ''Castiellabbate'') is a town and ''

comune The (; plural: ) is a local administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions ('' regioni'') and provinces (''province''). The can also ...

'' in the

province of Salerno The Province of Salerno ( it, Provincia di Salerno) is a province in the Campania region of Italy. __TOC__ Geography The largest towns in the province are: Salerno, the capital, which has a population of 131,950; Cava de' Tirreni, Battipagli ...

in the

Campania Campania (, also , , , ) is an administrative Regions of Italy, region of Italy; most of it is in the south-western portion of the Italian peninsula (with the Tyrrhenian Sea to its west), but it also includes the small Phlegraean Islands and the i ...

region of south-western

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

History

The area was inhabited since

Upper Palaeolithic The Upper Paleolithic (or Upper Palaeolithic) is the third and last subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age. Very broadly, it dates to between 50,000 and 12,000 years ago (the beginning of the Holocene), according to some theories coin ...

times. In early medieval times, the current ''frazione'' of

Licosa Licosa is a southern Italian village and hamlet (''frazione'') of Castellabate, a municipality in the province of Salerno, Campania. As of 2009 its population was of 82. History The toponym derives from the Greek word Λευκωσία (Leukosia ...

was a base of the

Saracens file:Erhard Reuwich Sarazenen 1486.png, upright 1.5, Late 15th-century Germany in the Middle Ages, German woodcut depicting Saracens Saracen ( ) was a term used in the early centuries, both in Greek language, Greek and Latin writings, to refer ...

, who were defeated here in 846 by a coalition of the

Duchy of Naples The Duchy of Naples ( la, Ducatus Neapolitanus, it, Ducato di Napoli) began as a Byzantine province that was constituted in the seventh century, in the reduced coastal lands that the Lombards had not conquered during their invasion of Italy in ...

Amalfi Amalfi (, , ) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Salerno, in the region of Campania, Italy, on the Gulf of Salerno. It lies at the mouth of a deep ravine, at the foot of Monte Cerreto (1,315 metres, 4,314 feet), surrounded by dramatic c ...

Sorrento Sorrento (, ; nap, Surriento ; la, Surrentum) is a town overlooking the Bay of Naples in Southern Italy. A popular tourist destination, Sorrento is located on the Sorrentine Peninsula at the south-eastern terminus of the Circumvesuviana rail ...

and

Gaeta Gaeta (; lat, Cāiēta; Southern Laziale: ''Gaieta'') is a city in the province of Latina, in Lazio, Southern Italy. Set on a promontory stretching towards the Gulf of Gaeta, it is from Rome and from Naples. The town has played a consp ...

. The history of the current Castellabate is tied to Saint Costabile Gentilcore (St. Constabilis), fourth abbot of

La Trinità della Cava La Trinità della Cava ( la, Abbatia Territorialis Sanctissimae Trinitatis Cavensis), commonly known as Badia di Cava, is a Benedictine territorial abbey located near Cava de' Tirreni, in the province of Salerno, southern Italy. It stands in a go ...

. In 1123, the same year in which he was elevated to the position of abbot, he started construction on the Angel's Castle (10 October 1123), which afterwards became entitled to him. His title gave the village its present name: ''Castrum Abbatis'', Latin for "the castle of the abbot". His abbacy lasted until 17 February 1124. His successor, Simeon, completed its construction and helped the inhabitants. Later, Castellabate fell under the control of the

barony Barony may refer to: * Barony, the peerage, office of, or territory held by a baron * Barony, the title and land held in fealty by a feudal baron * Barony (county division), a type of administrative or geographical division in parts of the British ...

of the

Cilento Cilento is an Italian geographical region of Campania in the central and southern part of the Province of Salerno and an important Tourism, tourist area of southern Italy. Cilento is known as one of the centers of Mediterranean diet. Geograph ...

. It then passed, in turn, to Caracciolo, Loffredo, Filomarino, Acquaviva, and finally the Granito family (who carried the title of marquis and later became princes by marriage) in 1745. Castellabate remained in the family of the

Prince of Belmonte Prince of Belmonte ( it, Principe di Belmonte; es, Príncipe de Belmonte) is a noble title created in 1619 by the Spanish crown for the Barons of Badolato and Belmonte. The name of the title is taken from the fortress town of Belmonte in Calabria, ...

until the end of the feudal era. Numerous medieval structures remain in use today with the most significant being the Castello Dell 'Abate, Basilica Pontificia Santa Maria de Gulia, and the Piazza 10 Ottobre 1123 (Malzone). The original four defensive walls of Castello dell 'Abate, a courtyard and arches remain today. The castle serves as a site for cultural events although the interior has been remodeled and hosts an art museum. The museum contains valuable archeological discoveries such as ancient amphoras and features the work of local artists. The underground, featuring original stairs and passageways as well as arrow slips and gun loops has been stabilized and also is available to tour. Legend has it that the underground passageways connected to the villages below were used as routes of escape from marauding pirates. The Basilica Pontificia Santa Maria de Gulia, built in the 12th century was commissioned by the successor of Costabile Gentilcore. Expansions and renovations of the Basilica have occurred over the years and today it features three naves, transept and apse, a domed roof, an annexed bell tower with functional carillon, and several mosaics and paintings, including one of the Archangel Michael. The Piazza 10 Ottobre 1123 built the year work began on the Castell dell’Abate is located in the center of the village featuring cafes, shops, and a tourist agency. Several notable palaces remain today including the Palazzo Matarazzo (currently serving as a tourist hotel). The nobleman, Francesco Matarazzo (1854-1937) born in Castellabate is credited with creating a rich economic empire and stimulating emigration to Brazil; the family continues to support the local area (D’Auria). A recent example is the gift of the Villa Matarazzo which has been renovated and now serves as a community setting for civic events and houses a cinema; the surrounding grounds feature a nature park and playground for children.

Geography

Castellabate borders with the municipalities of

Agropoli Agropoli is a town and ''comune'' located in the Cilento area of the province of Salerno, Campania, Italy. It is situated at the start of the Cilentan Coast, on the Tyrrhenian Sea. History Pre-medieval period The promontory on which Agropoli s ...

Laureana Cilento Laureana Cilento is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy. Geography Laureana borders with the municipalities of Agropoli, Castellabate, Lustra, Perdifumo and Torchiara. Its ''frazioni ...

Montecorice Montecorice is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy. As of 2011 its population was of History Montecorice likely originated as a small village around the monastery of Sant'Arcangelo, whic ...

and

Perdifumo Perdifumo (Campanian: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. I ...

. It counts the hamlets (''

frazioni A ''frazione'' (plural: ) is a type of subdivision of a ''comune'' (municipality) in Italy, often a small village or hamlet outside the main town. Most ''frazioni'' were created during the Fascist era (1922–1943) as a way to consolidate territ ...

'') of Alano,

Ogliastro Marina Ogliastro Marina, sometimes shortened as ''Ogliastro'', is a southern Italian village and hamlet (''frazione'') of Castellabate, a municipality in the province of Salerno, Campania. As of 2009 its population was of 172. History Originally mention ...

, Santa Maria (the municipal seat) and

San Marco San Marco is one of the six sestiere (Venice), sestieri of Venice, lying in the heart of the city as the main place of Venice. San Marco also includes the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Although the district includes Piazza San Marco, Saint ...

; and the localities of Lago and

Tresino Castellabate ( Cilentan: ''Castiellabbate'') is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy. History The area was inhabited since Upper Palaeolithic times. In early medieval times, the current ...

. Castellabate is 280 meters above sea level and lies in the middle of the Cilento National Park. It is situated on the gulf of Policastro, the island of Capri can be seen from the shoreline. Castellabate is part of the Cilento National Park and the Vallo di Diano (Pellecchia) distinquished by forests, natural caves, inaccessible peaks, and miles of walking paths in a setting full of a variety of flora and fauna.

Transport

The nearest

railway station Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...

is found at Agropoli. Served by numerous trains, which include ''

Eurostar Italia Eurostar Italia was the name given to high-speed trains operated by Trenitalia in Italy. The brand was discontinued and replaced with Le Frecce in December 2012. History The category Eurostar, introduced in 1997, replaced the Pendolino trains a ...

'', it is found on the route of

Naples Naples (; it, Napoli ; nap, Napule ), from grc, Νεάπολις, Neápolis, lit=new city. is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 909,048 within the city's adminis ...

Reggio Calabria Reggio di Calabria ( scn, label= Southern Calabrian, Riggiu; el, label= Calabrian Greek, Ρήγι, Rìji), usually referred to as Reggio Calabria, or simply Reggio by its inhabitants, is the largest city in Calabria. It has an estimated popul ...

. In terms of roads, it is served by the A3 Highway, which connects the town with the coast of Cilento. Access by sea is found at the port of San Marco di Castellabate.

Cuisine

Castellabate's cuisine is based on local products: wine, olive oil, cheese (such as

mozzarella Mozzarella (, ; nap, muzzarella ) is a southern Italian cheese traditionally made from Italian buffalo's milk by the pasta filata method. Fresh mozzarella is generally white but when seasoned it turns to a light yellow depending on the anim ...

garbanzo beans The chickpea or chick pea (''Cicer arietinum'') is an annual plant, annual legume of the family (biology), family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. Its different types are variously known as gram" or Bengal gram, garbanzo or garbanzo bean, or Egypti ...

salami Salami ( ) is a cured sausage consisting of fermented and air-dried meat, typically pork. Historically, salami was popular among Southern, Eastern, and Central European peasants because it can be stored at room temperature for up to 45 days ...

, and confections made with

figs The fig is the edible fruit of ''Ficus carica'', a species of small tree in the flowering plant family Moraceae. Native to the Mediterranean and western Asia, it has been cultivated since ancient times and is now widely grown throughout the world ...

Media

'' Benvenuti al Sud'', an Italian adaptation of the

2008 File:2008 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Lehman Brothers went bankrupt following the Subprime mortgage crisis; Cyclone Nargis killed more than 138,000 in Myanmar; A scene from the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; ...

French film '' Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis'', is set in Castellabate and partly in its hamlets Santa Maria and

.Article
on the '' Corriere del Mezzogiorno''

International relations

Castellabate is twinned with: *

Blieskastel Blieskastel () is a city in the Saarpfalz (Saar-Palatinate) district, in Saarland, Germany which is divided into villages. It is situated on the river Blies, approximately southwest of Homburg (Saar), west of Zweibrücken, and east of Saarbrü ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

, since 2008

References

External links

Tourism in Castellabate and in the National park of CilentoCilento and Vallo di Diano National Park

Blue Flag
Cities and towns in Campania Localities of Cilento {{Campania-geo-stub