Felitto: The Medieval Village of Cilento where Time has Stopped
Tonight we will visit a place of rare beauty that is less popular with mass tourism, despite having nothing to envy the most famous destinations on our peninsula. Cilento, an authentic Campanian pearl, has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
This magnificent area, which has been a cultural crossroads for centuries, is a natural wonder with its rolling hills dotted with dense woods, rows of olive trees, and ancient villages overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea’s crystal clear waters. Felitto, a small village perhaps little known to most, is the custodian of a heritage rich in natural and historical beauty that is worth visiting during a journey through southern Campania’s wild and unspoiled charm.
What to See in Felitto, Cilento’s Heart
Filetto, a small village of about 1200 people perched on the rocky spur of San Nicola, is surrounded by Cilento National Park, just a few kilometers from the more famous Paestum.
Immersed in a unique and evocative natural context, this charming village has managed to preserve its medieval origins intact, beginning with the fascinating historic center, the town’s vital hub, which still preserves the ancient ruins of the defensive walls and thirteen towers that once surrounded the village.
As you walk through the narrow alleys and historic houses, you can see important historic buildings like the Baronial Palace, which is a true symbol of the village and is referred to as the Castle by the locals.
The medieval bridge and the Western Gate of Felitto are also must-sees.
Felitto and Gole del Calore
Felitto, located in the heart of the Remolino neighborhood, is only a short walk from the historic center. It is home to an authentic natural oasis, one of the region’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Every year, the Gole del Calore, named after the same river, draws a large number of botanists, biologists, and naturalists eager to immerse themselves in and explore the area’s rich biodiversity.
The Gole del Calore protects 73 fern species, medicinal plants, and wild animals such as the otter. Don’t pass up the opportunity to explore this beautiful green space on an exciting canoe or pedalo excursion. If you enjoy trekking, however, you can take some of the panoramic paths that provide an unparalleled view of Cilento’s unspoiled nature.
Felitto’s Fusilli: a Thousand-Year Tradition
When visiting Felitto, make sure to try the famous Fusillo Felittese, a type of pasta with an intense and genuine flavor.
This delicacy is known locally as fusillu, fusiddu, or ferricello, and the Campania Region has designated it as a Traditional Agri-Food Product (PAT) and Slow Food Presidium.
Every year from August 13 to August 23, the entire community proudly celebrates the region’s gastronomic specialty during the Sagra del Fusillo Felittese, a long-awaited celebration that allows residents and tourists to delight their palates with the unique products of Campania cuisine.
