Discover Sessa Cilento

Sessa Cilento brings together landscape, history and vibrant local culture in an impressive way. The town lies in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park; the Alento River flows not far from the built-up area. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Sessa Cilento will find a starting point for a variety of holiday experiences: nature observation, cultural and historical discoveries, and culinary impressions can be combined into a diverse trip.

Art and history in Sessa Cilento

A particular point of interest is the Pietro Volpe Contemporary Art Gallery. The Volpe-Boschetti donation forms the starting point of the museum and also includes works by other 20th-century masters, including Antonio Auriemma, Gianni Bellotti, Primo Conti and Luigi di Fabrizio. Palazzo Coppola is also home to the Ecomuseum of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The ecomuseum is an information centre for the environment and ethnography. Its sections focus on the history and preservation of local crafts, local traditions and occupations.

Historical traces can also be found outside the museums. The ruins of the Santa Maria degli Eremiti monastery in the San Mango district were a centre of local economic and intellectual life from 1093 until the 15th century. A partially excavated Roman villa rustica recalls the area’s earlier history. Greek archaeological finds from the 4th century BC are among the earliest evidence of human presence in this valley.

Churches, crafts and paths through the landscape

The Church of San Nicola in the Valle Cilento district preserves valuable medieval architectural elements. The 15th-century Church of Santa Maria a Valletelle houses the statue of the Madonna della Stella. Such destinations add a cultural and historical dimension to a stay without requiring every holiday day to be planned in the same way.

Località Castagneto is ideal for walks and excursions in nature. The approximately 160-hectare chestnut forest offers a distinctive landscape experience. In the valley at the foot of the northern slope of Monte Stella, the Fiumara flows as a tributary stream. In the Valle dei Mulini, restored old watermills can be seen from the outside. They used water power to process grain into white flour. Local handicrafts made from finely carved wood include barrels for storing wine and instruments such as the chitarra battente.

Local cuisine and suitable trip planning

Sessa Cilento is known for the artisanal production of dried figs. The Sagra Campagnola celebrates the culinary specialities of Cilento’s rural cuisine. The Sagra del Cinghiale e degli Strangolaprieveti is dedicated to homemade pasta and game dishes. These traditions also make the choice of accommodation a question of the desired travel rhythm: you can combine cultural sightseeing with experiences in nature or focus on regional cuisine and local specialities.

For travel by public transport, Omignano Scalo and the bus service operated by Giuliano Sas are important points of reference. Omignano Scalo is the nearest railway station to Sessa Cilento. The bus company provides passenger services within the municipal area to and from Salerno and Naples. Palazzo Coppola hosts numerous events, including the Segreti d’Autore festival. When choosing your holiday apartment, therefore, consider which experiences should be the focus of your stay and how you would like to divide your days between local culture, nature and regional cuisine.

Discover more places in Cilento

If you would like to extend your trip beyond Sessa Cilento, you can also discover Santa Lucia, Rutino, Novi Velia, Baronissi, Catona, Serramezzana, Sarno and Laurino.

Return to the main travel overview: Salerno.