Perito: Churches, Ruins and Trails in Cilento

Perito reveals its character especially where sacred buildings, historical traces and paths through the landscape come together. For your travel planning, this makes it a place to explore through its churches, ruins, nature, viewpoints and local cuisine.

Churches and Traces of Local History

The parish church of San Nicola di Bari dates back to the 16th century and is dedicated to the patron saint of Perito. Next to it stands a bell tower built through the reuse of an old tower from the Angevin period. The church and bell tower thus combine sacred architecture with an older historical structure.

In the hamlet of Ostigliano, the mother church of San Giovanni Battista dates back to the mid-16th century. It had three altars: the main altar, the University’s Rosary altar and the altar of Santa Caterina. Admission to the church of San Giovanni Battista is free. The church of Santa Maria Maddalena in Perito was already in existence in 1500.

In Perito Sottano are the ruins of Perito’s first urban settlement. The ruins of the church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria are also visible there. At the entrance to Perito, the chapel of Madonna del Monte has a single-nave layout, a small altar and no apse.

Hiking, Views and the Alento Valley

Along the Sentiero del Soldato, signs point the way to the chapel of Madonna di Loreto. The route from Perito to the Cappella di Santa Maria della Croce di Stio is part of the Sentieri della Croce and offers panoramic viewpoints over the Alento Valley and towards Monte Stella.

Within Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, the Alento River passes through the municipalities of Cicerale and Perito. From Perito Sottano, views extend to the Torre di Velia and, in particularly clear conditions, as far as the island of Stromboli. Alongside its historic buildings, the landscape therefore offers viewpoints with a distinctly far-reaching perspective.

Local Cuisine in the Chestnut Forest

The Festa nel Bosco is a gastronomic event held in August in a chestnut forest. On this occasion, traditional Cavatielli handmade by women from Perito are served. The dishes are prepared with products from local producers and livestock farmers. This provides a direct way to connect the town’s culinary side with regional production.

Getting There and Choosing Your Accommodation

Perito can be reached via the exit from the SS 18 bypass and via Provincial Road No. 56. When choosing accommodation in Perito, you can consider these two access routes as practical points for planning your individual journey. Once there, historic sightseeing, scenic trails and a culinary event in August can be combined to suit different travel interests.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

If you are planning your trip beyond Perito, you can also consider the following places: San Mango Piemonte, Cetara, Sant'angelo A Fasanella, Novi Velia, Battaglia Di Casaletto Spartano, Santa Maria Di Castellabate, Santa Lucia and Lustra.

For the higher-level travel overview: Salerno.