Padula between the Certosa, rock architecture and ancient paths
Accommodation in Padula
Padula combines the Certosa di San Lorenzo with museums, religious sites and paths through gorges and along historic buildings. Here, cultural history can be found in exhibitions and preserved rooms, as well as in rock architecture, ancient waterways and an event featuring traditional cuisine.
Certosa and museums
The Certosa di San Lorenzo has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. It is accessible to people with disabilities; wheelchairs and ramps are available to provide access to most of the buildings.
The Museo archeologico provinciale della Lucania occidentale was founded in 1957 to collect rich finds from excavations in Sala Consilina and Padula, including around 1,500 graves.
The Museo Civico Multimediale is housed in Palazzo Brando near Padula’s town hall. The Casa Museo di Joe Petrosino preserves the house’s original rooms, as well as its furnishings and objects from that time.
On the upper floor of the Casa Museo di Joe Petrosino, a multimedia section explores the history of the fight against the Mafia using original recordings and visual documents from the Rai Teche archives.
Rock architecture and paths through Padula
The Eremo di San Michele alle Grottelle is located in the rock caves of San Sepolcro in Padula and is an example of rock architecture.
In the Valle dei Mulini, paths lead through the gorge and to the ruins of the mills. One of the best-known paths descends from the hill of Padula and runs along the medieval aqueduct that supplied the mills and the Monastery of San Francesco.
The Sentiero di San Michele alle Grottelle is a circular route of approximately 15 kilometres. It begins at the Certosa di San Lorenzo, crosses the Consilinum archaeological site and then leads into the historic old town of Padula.
A chapel added later to the Battistero di San Giovanni in Fonte bears traces of Byzantine frescoes.
The original core of the Chiesa Madre S. Michele Arcangelo is dedicated to Padula’s patron saint, the Archangel Michael. It was probably founded in the 9th century, at the same time as the town centre was established.
The Santuario Beata Vergine Maria del Monte Romito is located at an altitude of 1,380 metres above sea level.
Traditional cuisine and local events
The “Frittata delle mille uova” event includes musical performances as well as the preparation and tasting of traditional dishes from Padula. The re-enactment of the historical event by Pro Loco Padula has been documented at the Certosa di San Lorenzo for around 30 years.
At its events, Pro Loco of Padula serves traditional cuisine from Padula. When choosing accommodation in Padula, you can tailor the focus of your trip to these specific themes: the Certosa and museums, the paths and rock architecture, or the combination of events and local cuisine.
More destinations for planning your trip to Italy: Amalfi, Castellabate, Santa Marina, Mercato Cilento, Buccino, Omignano Scalo, Rosaine and Vibonati.
To the main travel overview: Salerno.
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