Capaccio: Between Cente Tradition, History and Mountain Panoramas

Capaccio combines living tradition, historical evidence and varied paths through Mediterranean landscapes. Particularly impressive is the transition between the historic centre, the religious sites of Capaccio Vecchio and the ridges around Monte Soprano. Anyone planning a trip can combine cultural discoveries with walks and hikes here without having to commit to just one type of holiday.

Cente, Churches and the Historic Centre

One of Capaccio’s special traditions is the votive Cente, celebrated every year in honour of the Madonna del Granato. These are handmade wooden objects in the shape of light boats. Worshippers decorate them with ribbons, flowers, candles and an image of the Madonna del Granato. Each Cente is made using traditional, time-honoured techniques and forms. During the Cente procession, worshippers carry the votive objects through the districts of Capaccio to the Santuario della Madonna del Granato. This tradition gives a trip to Capaccio a cultural and religious dimension that goes far beyond viewing individual buildings.

In the historic centre, you will find old palaces, portals and narrow streets. Among the prominent buildings is the Torre Orologio, also known as the Torre civica. The clock tower dates back to the 15th century and originally served as the bell tower of the Church of San Pietro. The Chiesa di San Pietro Apostolo is also a worthwhile destination in the historic centre. The existence of the Parrocchia San Pietro Apostolo has been documented since the 16th century.

The Palazzo Bellelli also tells the history of the town. In the 17th century, it was owned by the Barlotti family and was later acquired by the Bellelli family. Today, it is one of the most significant buildings in the historic centre of Capaccio Capoluogo. The Fontana dei Tre Delfini, an important example of Baroque style from the late 17th century, and the Convento dei Frati Minori, with its fresco-decorated cloister from the 18th century, further reflect the town’s historical and religious character.

Hiking Trails between Monte Soprano and the Sele

For active days on holiday, Capaccio offers a range of clearly distinguishable hiking experiences. The Castello fantasma hiking trail begins in Capaccio Vecchio at the Santuario della Madonna del Granato and ends at the Castello di Capaccio. The Sentiero Monte Soprano di Capaccio, on the other hand, follows CAI Trail 410 over the mountain ridge up to Monte Soprano. The summit lies at an altitude of 1,082 metres and offers a 360-degree panorama of Capaccio, the sea and the Alburni massif.

When choosing your holiday apartment, consider which of these landscapes and excursions should be the focus of your personal plans. Those interested in historic paths and ruins can include Capaccio Vecchio and the Castello di Capaccio. For a trip with a stronger focus on nature, the trails around Monte Soprano are a good choice. Municipal routes also point to walks through green surroundings along the Fiume Sele. The forests also shape the character of the area: Montagna del Conte covers 10 hectares of Mediterranean maquis with holm oaks and downy oaks, while the forests of Monte Soprano cover 15 hectares with holm oaks, heather, chestnuts and Turkey oaks.

Religious Sites, Views and Exhibitions

The Santuario Mariano Diocesano in Capaccio is dedicated to the Madonna del Granato and was founded in the 1st century. The Santuario dei Getsemani includes a park with a Stations of the Cross route, a Rosary path and a stone amphitheatre. From there, you can enjoy views of the Sele plain and the Gulf of Salerno. During the summer months, the ground floor of the Convento di Sant’Antonio is used for the Museo del Gran Tour, with exhibitions on photography and painting. For a cultural stay, this seasonal focus can be an interesting addition to the historic sites.

The history of Capaccio Vecchio can also be incorporated into your exploration of the area: Capaccio Vecchio was besieged and destroyed by Frederick II, and its ruins are still preserved. The conspiracy directed against Frederick II of Swabia took place in the Castello di Capaccio in 1245. The Basilica Paleocristiana lies at the heart of the archaeological zone. The spectrum therefore ranges from religious traditions and medieval history to older archaeological evidence.

Capaccio as a Starting Point for Planning Your Holiday

When looking for accommodation in Capaccio, it helps to first establish the rhythm you want: should historic squares, religious buildings and exhibitions be the main focus, or would you prefer to give greater consideration to hiking trails, woodland landscapes and panoramas? A holiday apartment can then serve as a fixed base suited to your own interests for the selected days of your holiday. What matters is less a general classification than the question of which experiences you actually want to combine.

For further research, you can also include Foce Del Sele in your selection. If you would like to compare Capaccio with other places, you will also find Omignano Scalo, Cosentini, Cardile, Scala, Scario, Laurino and Sicignano Degli Alburni.

For the overarching travel overview: Salerno.