Santa Maria Di Castellabate: Coast, History and Marine Conservation

Sanctuary and Coastal History

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria a Mare is located in Castellabate, in the Santa Maria district, near Marina Piccola beach. Knowledge of the sanctuary has been documented since 1102. The religious patronal festival of Santa Maria a Mare takes place every year on 15 August. If you would like to include religious tradition and a specific date in your travel plans, this August day provides a clear cultural reference.

Le Gatte and the Historical Sites

The coastal history includes the Porticciolo de „Lu Travierso“, also known as Porto delle Gatte, which is associated with the earliest documented settlement in Santa Maria di Castellabate. The premises of Le Gatte served as warehouses for trade with the ports of Cava and Naples. Le Gatte also served as a filming location for the films „Cavalli si Nasce“, „Noi Credevamo“ and „Benvenuti al Sud“. Le Gatte can be viewed from the outside; access to the restaurant is reserved for guests.

Villa Matarazzo and the Corso

Villa Matarazzo dates from the 19th century and was once a summer residence. Its park contains a rose garden with more than 220 varieties of historic roses. The entrance to the villa is located at the northern entrance of Corso Andrea Matarazzo in Santa Maria di Castellabate. Corso Senatore Andrea Matarazzo is a pedestrian street with shops, bars and restaurants. It connects the northern entrance of Santa Maria with Piazza Lucia in the town centre.

Festivals in August

Two August dates shape the festival tradition. The Palio della Stuzza takes place every year on 14 August at Lungomare Perrotti in Santa Maria di Castellabate. The Antico Palio della Stuzza was added to the inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of the Campania region in 2025. If you are planning around culture and events, the two August dates take place immediately one after the other.

Marine Protected Area and Underwater World

The Santa Maria di Castellabate Marine Protected Area was established in 2009 within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. It covers 7,095 hectares of sea and 2 hectares of coastline. The Posidonia oceanica meadows in the marine protected area provide shelter for numerous fish and crustacean species. For travellers interested in nature, this creates a clear focus on marine habitats.

Snorkelling and Archaeological Evidence

Snorkelling is possible at Secca della Bella because of the shallow water. The remains of a villa from the Greco-Roman era and a fish-farming pool from the same period are also visible on the seabed of the marine protected area. Nature observation and archaeology thus offer two different perspectives on the marine environment.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Stay

When choosing a hotel, you can consider Santa Maria di Castellabate according to your personal focus: religious history and festivals, historic buildings, the pedestrian street and town centre, or marine conservation, snorkelling and underwater remains. You decide which of these topics will shape your stay.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

Casal Velino, Acquavella, Ostigliano, Vallo Della Lucania, Minori, Camerota, Terradura and Laurino.

For the higher-level travel overview: Salerno.