Bellosguardo: Art, maquis and the route to the Cascate dell’Auso

Bellosguardo can be explored through sacred art, botanical diversity and a route to Sant’Angelo a Fasanella. The town combines tangible evidence of its history with the landscape of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park.

Art and sacred heritage in the town

The Chiesa madre San Michele Arcangelo contains three ceiling frescoes by the Salerno painter Pasquale Avallone. The frescoes are dated to the years between 1924 and 1926. The single-nave church has three altars on each side and therefore also offers architectural details beyond the paintings.

The Convento di Santa Maria delle Grazie preserves a 16th-century fresco depicting the Pietà. This collection of artworks also includes a large polyptych with relics of the saints depicted in it. The Chiesa Conventuale Santa Maria delle Grazie in Bellosguardo dates from 1512.

The Palazzo De Philippis is located within the built-up area of Bellosguardo. The town’s development also dates back a long way: Bellosguardo began to be settled at the beginning of the 15th century.

Maquis and botanical diversity

The Orto Botanico di Bellosguardo focuses on conserving rare and endangered plant species, particularly woody species of the Mediterranean maquis. Two buildings house hundreds of catalogued plant species. Paths for observing undergrowth plants complement this botanical focus. The Orto Botanico di Bellosguardo is located in Località Macchie.

Bellosguardo also has the equipped forest known as “Macchia”. The Bellosguardo area lies within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park and includes forests of maritime and Aleppo pines, as well as oaks and Turkey oaks.

Visits to the Orto Botanico di Bellosguardo serve environmental education and convey the importance of conserving existing plant species. The botanical garden is therefore interesting not only because of its rare plants, but also because of its focus on conservation and biodiversity.

Route to Sant’Angelo a Fasanella

For hiking enthusiasts, the route from Bellosguardo to Sant’Angelo a Fasanella begins in the town’s main square. There are several parking options at the starting point. Starting in the central square makes the route an easily identifiable part of the townscape.

The route leads to an equipped area a few steps from the Cascate dell’Auso. There is a kiosk there offering food and drinks. The landscape, the course of the route and the opportunity to get refreshments along this section give the tour its own distinctive character.

A local culinary detail

The Sfogliatella di Bellosguardo also has its own distinctive shape. This speciality is crescent-shaped, while the Amalfi Coast version is shell-shaped. The comparison highlights a small but specific difference between the local version and the well-known variety from the Amalfi Coast.

More destinations for planning your trip

Fisciano, Sicignano Degli Alburni, Licusati, Buccino, Atrani, Furore, Giffoni sei Casali and Centola

For the higher-level travel overview: Salerno.