Roccadaspide: Castle, Old Town and Chestnut Cuisine
Accommodation in Roccadaspide
Roccadaspide combines a distinctive historic centre with regional cuisine and a landscape that reveals itself in different facets along the Percorso delle due Fonti. At its heart is the Castello di Roccadaspide: the fortress was built in 1245 on an existing fortification, the so-called Rocca, which gave the town its name.
Castle and Old Town
The Castello di Roccadaspide has a 400-metre perimeter divided by seven towers. The castle contains 33 rooms, prisons, a torture chamber and the courtyard gardens.
The narrow streets of the old town were once largely laid out as stairways. With the exception of the path leading up to Serrone, they pass through characteristic vaulted passageways to the square in front of the entrance to the Castello di Roccadaspide. The Chiesa dell'Assunta is located in the historic centre and is the oldest church in the town. It is also known as the Chiesa dei Santi Patroni Sinforosa e Getulio. It was probably built before the year 1000 by survivors of the destruction of the nearby city of Paestum.
The Chiesa NativitĂ Beata Maria Vergine in Roccadaspide has three naves, was built in 1608 and first restored in 1750. Its bronze portal was created by the sculptor Vincenzo Carucci. It depicts scenes from the Old and New Testaments as well as details from the civic and religious history of Roccadaspide. In the LocalitĂ Fonte di Roccadaspide, the Cappella di San Michele stands alone on a hill surrounded by oak and olive woodland near the Fonte spring. Its furnishings include a valuable polychrome wooden statue of the Archangel Michael from the 16th century by an unknown artist, which has been restored several times, most recently in more recent times.
Monasteries Between History and Memory
Below the historic centre lies the Franciscan monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, also known as the Convento di S. Antonio dei Conventuali Minori. It was built in 1415. The Carmelite monastery dedicated to the monastery of Santa Maria dell'Arco e del Carmine provides a different historical perspective: it is now a ruin. It was demolished in the 1950s, and its stones were used for rural roads in the municipality.
Source Trail and Regional Cuisine
The Percorso delle due Fonti connects the Forma and Germanito springs. Along the scenic, mostly level route, panoramic views open up over the Piana del Sele and the Monti Alburni. Numerous rest areas along the way offer the opportunity to pause and relax in the shade.
The cuisine also contributes to Roccadaspide's distinctive character. Marrone di Roccadaspide IGP is a regional chestnut product; chestnut cultivation in Cilento can be traced back to the years 1183–1184. Traditional dishes from Roccadaspide include Cavatielli, fusilli with castrato sauce and Rafaiuoli with ricotta. At the Festa della Castagna in the historic centre, chestnut-based dishes and typical Cilento products such as bread, cheese and wine are offered for tasting.
More destinations: Montecorvino Pugliano, San Rufo, Altavilla Silentina, Ostigliano, Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino, Casalbuono, Capitello, Ispani.
To the overarching travel overview: Salerno.
