Vallo Della Lucania – Churches, Museums and Cultural Events

Culture and history are tangible in Vallo della Lucania through its performance spaces, collections, sacred sites and event dates. The municipality is also part of the Parco Nazionale del Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni. For a stay focused on culture, the museums, churches and events offer a range of points of interest.

Performance Venues, Collections and Museums

The Teatro Auditorium Città di Vallo della Lucania Leo de Berardinis has a stage equipped for artistic and cultural activities. It offers 538 seats across two levels, with around 900 square metres of equipped space on the lower level. The theatre is named after Leo de Berardinis, an actor, playwright and director.

The main collection of the Museo Diocesano includes the Polittico della Trasfigurazione di Torchiara by Marco Pino da Siena and his collaborators, dating from 1577; the Polittico di Laurino by Cristofaro Faffeo, dating from 1482; the polittico di S. Nicola di Stella Cilento by the Maestro di Stella Cilento, from around 1520; and a Dittico by the Maestro dei Polittici Francescani.

At the Museo delle Erbe, a permanent ethnobotanical exhibition brings together more than 2,000 plant specimens, traditional uses of plants and natural preparations. Dye plants and a wood collection complement the exhibits. The MAF – Museo delle Arti Femminili displays craft, artistic, industrial and communication-related objects associated with women’s lives over the past three centuries. The focus is on a variety of objects and a broad span of time.

Churches and Historical Traces

The Cappella della Madonna di Lourdes, also known as the Cappella di San Biagio, was built in 1595 and houses an 18th-century nativity scene. The Cappella del Crocefisso was originally dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie and its adjoining monastery were built by the confraternity of the same name at the end of the 15th century. The Conservatorio di Santa Caterina was founded in Capocasale in 1626. Together, these sites span the period from buildings of the late 15th century to institutions of the 17th century.

The Cattedrale di San Pantaleone houses an organ built in 1784 by the Carelli brothers, Silverio and Francesco, who were born in Vallo. On July 27, a silver-clad bust of Saint Pantaleon is carried from the cathedral in a procession through the streets of Vallo della Lucania.

At the Badia di Santa Maria di Pattano, remains of walls and thermal baths from the Roman imperial period can be seen beneath a glass floor. Special conditions apply to visits: they are possible only by prior reservation with an authorised expert guide; book at least one day in advance.

Events and When to Visit

The historical procession “SURGITE 'A STU' PAESE 'BBONA GENTE” takes place every year on July 18 and 19. More than 200 people in costume reenact the Cilento uprisings of 1828. Another religious event takes place on July 27, when the bust of Saint Pantaleon is carried through the town.

At the September event Mani in Pasta, fresh homemade pasta, including fusilli and cavatielli, is prepared in the square. Local products such as wine and desserts are also sampled. The events mentioned fall within two time periods: events in July and Mani in Pasta in September. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay focused on one of these events, the dates can help you plan your travel. Check the details for the relevant edition of each event before travelling.

Planning Your Visits

Visits to the Museo Diocesano are scheduled Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; last admission is at 12:00 p.m. Guided tours can also be arranged at other times by reservation. The museum is closed from August 1 to 31. Check visiting hours before you arrive, especially if you plan to combine a museum visit with one of the events mentioned.

Discover more destinations: Ispani, Sapri, Sieti, Raito, San Marzano Sul Sarno, Acciaroli, Agnone Cilento, Capaccio.

Go to the main travel overview: Salerno.