Capaccio: History and Hiking Trails

Capaccio offers several highlights for your trip: the historic centre with its old palaces, portals and alleyways; the Cente tradition in honour of the Madonna del Granato; and hiking destinations at Castello di Capaccio and on Monte Soprano. When planning your visit, you can decide whether architectural history, religious traditions, views or outdoor activities should take centre stage.

Historic Centre and Architectural History

Old palaces, portals and alleyways shape the heart of the historic centre. From the gardens there, you can see across the Gulf of Salerno, with Capri in the background. Chiesa di San Pietro Apostolo is a noteworthy place to visit in the historic centre.

Historic buildings include Torre Orologio, also known as Torre civica: the clock tower dates from the 15th century and originally served as the bell tower of San Pietro church. Fontana dei Tre Delfini is a significant example of Baroque style from the late 17th century. Palazzo Bellelli also has a long history of ownership: in the 17th century it belonged to the Barlotti family and was later acquired by the Bellelli family.

Castello di Capaccio is also associated with a historic event: the conspiracy against Frederick II of Swabia took place there in 1245. Capaccio Vecchio was besieged and destroyed by Frederick II; ruins of the settlement still remain. Basilica Paleocristiana lies at the heart of the archaeological zone. The Convento dei Frati Minori includes an 18th-century cloister decorated with frescoes.

Cente and Religious Sites

Every year, Capaccio celebrates the tradition of votive Cente in honour of the Madonna del Granato. Cente are handcrafted wooden objects shaped like light boats. They are decorated with ribbons, flowers, candles and an image of the Madonna del Granato. Worshippers make each Cente by hand, following traditional techniques and forms passed down through generations. During the Cente procession, worshippers carry the votive objects through the districts of Capaccio to the Santuario della Madonna del Granato. The tradition can thus be explored through both the artistically crafted objects and the shared journey to the sanctuary.

The Santuario Mariano Diocesano in Capaccio is dedicated to the Madonna del Granato; its founding is dated to the 1st century. The Santuario dei Getsemani features a park with a Stations of the Cross route, a Rosary path and a stone amphitheatre. From there, you can enjoy views of the Sele plain and the Gulf of Salerno.

Hiking Trails and Views

The Castello fantasma hiking trail starts in Capaccio Vecchio at the Santuario della Madonna del Granato and ends at Castello di Capaccio. The Sentiero Monte Soprano di Capaccio follows CAI trail 410 along the ridge and climbs to Monte Soprano. The 1,082-metre summit offers a 360-degree panorama of Capaccio, the sea and the Alburni massif. The two trails therefore differ mainly in their destinations: Castello di Capaccio on one route, and the summit with its far-reaching views on the other.

Municipal routes point to further opportunities for walks in the countryside along the Fiume Sele. They offer a focus of their own alongside the hiking destinations at Castello and Monte Soprano. If you prefer to plan your trip around specific landscape features, you can also find details of two woodland areas with different sizes and vegetation.

The Landscape Around Capaccio

The woodlands of Montagna del Conte cover 10 hectares of Mediterranean maquis, with holm oaks and downy oaks. The woodlands of Monte Soprano extend over 15 hectares; the Mediterranean maquis there includes holm oaks, heather, chestnut trees and Turkey oaks. Both areas share holm oak, while the other tree and plant species mentioned give each its own character.

During your stay, you can choose from several distinct themes: historic architecture in the centre, the religious tradition of the Cente, a hiking destination linked to a castle, or a summit panorama. The gardens in the historic centre and the views from Santuario dei Getsemani add different perspectives on the surrounding landscape.

Discover more destinations: Foce Del Sele, Mandia, Sessa Cilento, Catona, Eboli, Marmorata, Polla, Ogliastro Cilento.

For the main travel overview: Salerno.