Caposele: Discover springs, churches and local cuisine
Accommodation in Caposele
The Sorgenti del Sele springs rise within the municipality at an altitude of 420 metres from a large limestone rock face. Their underground waters feed the Sorgente SanitĂ , are collected at the Tredogge spring and there form the course of the Sele, which continues as far as Capaccio Paestum. If you are considering Caposele for a trip, you will therefore encounter spring water, buildings and local history in close connection.
Springs and water engineering
The intake facility of the Sorgenti del Sele still has its original sluice gates, dating from 1909 and still in operation. From there, there is also a view of the underground structures leading to the Galleria Pavoncelli. Near Piazza SanitĂ , a park includes water infrastructure and the first headquarters of Acquedotto Pugliese SpA.
Museums between landscape and invention
The Museo delle Acque consists of six rooms and tells the story of the social, territorial and cultural changes in Caposele since 1900. Equipment and cartographic material illustrate routes as well as places in the surrounding area that are particularly significant from a historical and architectural perspective. An educational workshop conveys the characteristics of traditional local agricultural and food products such as Matassa, Muffletto and Caposele-Amaretto.
The Museo delle Macchine di Leonardo houses a permanent exhibition about the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci. The museum preserves around twenty wooden reproductions based on Leonardo's original drawings, divided into the four categories of water, air, earth and fire.
Churches and religious tradition
The Chiesa di San Lorenzo Martire stands in the historic centre of Caposele and is also known as the Tempio Artistico di San Lorenzo. Inside, the ceiling and walls evoke flowing water; the liturgical space appears as a single large river, with the altar as its centre and source. The Chiesa di Santa Maria della SanitĂ is located near the Sorgenti del Sele. It contains a fresco of the Madonna della SanitĂ dating from 1200.
Every year, on the third Sunday in August, celebrations in honour of the Virgin Mary begin at the Chiesa di Santa Maria della SanitĂ . The Basilica di San Gerardo was extended from 16 October 1913 to 31 August 1929 and received the title of minor basilica on 18 February 1930. The Museo Gerardino displays paintings depicting important moments in the life of San Gerardo, devotional objects donated by worshippers and a reconstruction of the cell in which San Gerardo lived.
Nature, cycling route and climbing
The Parco Fluviale is a protected natural area with walking paths and excursions for observing the local flora and fauna. For longer outings, the Ciclovia dell’Acquedotto Pugliese combines cycling and hiking experiences on a 500-kilometre route. It follows the Canale Principale from Caposele to Villa Castelli and then the Grande Sifone Leccese to Santa Maria di Leuca. In the Caposele – San Vito climbing area, the Lancia del Sole sector is suitable for climbing all year round.
Matasse, Muffletto and historic cellars
Matasse is a typical homemade pasta made from durum-wheat and soft-wheat flour. Traditionally, it is served with a mildly spicy sauce made from chickpeas, garlic and dried peppers. A culinary workshop on preparing Matasse di Caposele explains its history and production; participants can also try stretching the dough themselves.
Muffletto is found exclusively in the municipality of Caposele and is made by some artisan bakeries using methods handed down over many generations, including for pilgrims to the sanctuary of Materdomini in Caposele. Wine, cured meats and cheese were once stored in the cellars carved into the rock. Some old artisanal machines and historic containers used for production and storage are still present.
Fontanarosa, Villaggio Laceno, Castelvetere Sul Calore, Cairano, Sant'angelo, Sperone, Vallata, Solofra
For the main travel overview: Avellino.
