Caselle in Pittari is an ancient town located on top of a hill, immersed in a characteristic karst landscape. It is no coincidence that the toponym means "small houses on the rocky mountain". 

After careful studies carried out in recent decades on a ceramic found in the San Michele Cave, it is hypothesised that the area was inhabited since prehistoric times. Founded during Greek domination, it had its maximum expansion in the 3rd century BC with the conquest of the Romans, and as evidence of this there are numerous finds from the Roman period and a necropolis found in the "Laurelli" area.
Due to its important function of controlling the communication route between the interior and the coast, in the Middle Ages the hill where Caselle currently stands was fortified with the erection of a circular tower, the ruins of which still dominate the town today.
Caselle in Pittari has been linked to the cult of San Michele since the 8th century AD, when some Brazilian monks, during their escape from Greece because they were persecuted for iconoclasm, arrived in Cilento and found refuge on the Monte di San Michele. Here they settled in the caves which were most likely their hermitages, where they dedicated themselves to venerating the archangel Michael.
Caselle was a fiefdom of the De Stefano family, then passed to various baronial families, until it became the capital of the municipality in 1806.

If these places fascinate you, you will encounter Caselle in Pittari with one of our tours:

⇒ Cammino di San Nilo 

What to see in Caselle in Pittari

We have prepared a list with the things to see in Caselle in Pittari, to peacefully admire the beauty of this fascinating small town in the lower Cilento.
Why not decide to dedicate a day to discovering the beauties of Caselle in Pittari?

  • Palazzo Marchesale;
  • Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo;
  • MU.VI - Caselle in Pittari Virtual Museum;
  • Laurelli Archeological Area.

And now let's start together to discover the most suggestive places of Caselle in Pittari!

Palazzo Marchesale

Palazzo Marchesale originates from a Norman-Swabian fortress, already existing at the time of Frederick II. It was transformed into a residential palace only in the late Renaissance, becoming a stately home, as well as being above all a centre for the management of power and territorial resources.
The gate, the moat and the stretch of walls are the original structures of the castle; only the façade of the north entrance has undergone evident transformations over the years. The battlements, still visible, are characterised by long vertical slits arranged in alternating battlements, from where the archers could attack the enemy.

Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo

There is no memory of its foundation which dates back to ancient times, presumably together with the mediaeval village. The church has three naves and preserves many aspects of the mediaeval era. The architectural layout is typical of the Romanesque period, although over the centuries it has undergone profound transformations, especially due to the earthquake of 1456.
In 1989 during works, the fresco with the Assumption of the Madonna created in 1791 by Brunetti was found and the crypt used over the centuries as a burial place.

MU.VI

The Museum is immersed in a naturalistic framework of enormous importance both from a landscape point of view and with regard to aspects related to karst associated with the sinkholes of the Busseto river. It is home to engaging laboratory and educational activities closely linked to the territory.

Archeological Area

The area develops in the hinterland of the Gulf of Policastro, an area rich in naturalistic and archaeological beauties. The site was brought to light in the 1970s during the clearing of a centuries-old olive grove, when the remains of a 4th century BC settlement were found.
It is a Lucanian town, abandoned after the conquest by the Roman Empire. The view is very suggestive due to the karst aspect of the landscape, made up of small furrows that cut into the rock giving a fascinating spectacle.

What to do in Caselle in Pittari - the Slow Active Tours proposal

Here is a small list of things to do in Caselle in Pittari that you absolutely cannot miss!

  • Hermitage of San Michele

    The hermitage of San Michele is located on San Nilo way: after passing the village of Sicilì you go up towards Mount San Michele and then make a small detour that leads to this enchanted place.

  • Bussetto sinkhole

    An incredible cave reachable via a path that leads from the town, in a few minutes, to the heart of the river. Here you can admire the extraordinary and incredible shapes generated by the water that has dug into the limestone rock for centuries, giving rise to this extraordinary phenomenon of great speleological interest. The same water that, after a long journey, disappears into the depths and then re-emerges, after 4 kilometres, in the nearby town of Morigerati.

  • Casaletto karst caves

    The vast territory of Caselle extends between the clayey reliefs of Monte Centurino and the limestone slopes of Monti Rotondo and San Michele, offering a setting of enchanting, completely uncontaminated corners, characterised by a variety of landscapes, strong contrasts and incomparable beauty .
    For the most curious and skilled hikers, a visit to the Casaletto karst caves is unmissable, explored by only a few visitors since access is only allowed to a few expert people. You overlook a large expanse of greenery, where the olive trees disappear as far as the eye can see, immersed in nature, with a frame exalted by the colours of the rich vegetation.

  • Trekking sul Camino di San Nilo

    Caselle in Pittari is the splendid setting for the arrival of the fourth stage of the Cammino di San Nilo, an exciting route in 8 stages that we at Slow Active Tours offer to those who want to experience a reunion with nature.

Festivals and Popular Events of Caselle in Pittari

The Palio del grano, in the month of July, is an event that brings you closer to the life of the farmer. It takes place over six days of activities, including debates related to the land and its cultivation, and exciting competitions. On the day of the Palio people meet in the square for the draw of the tracks on which to compete, then after the evocative race they continue with: games around the maypole, a common lunch, the lottery draw and finally the prize-giving ceremony. Caselle Film Festival, an international short film festival on the environment,
takes place from 18 to 20 August. At the end of September the historic centre of Caselle in Pittari is animated by celebrations and liturgical celebrations in honour of the patron saint San Michele. The traditional Fair is a key event in the trade fair panorama that involves the entire country.  From 31 October to 3 November 2024, a very important international speleology meeting, Syhonia 2024, will be held, a meeting for cave enthusiasts from all over the world, but also an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences in the field of research and cave exploration.

Typical dishes of Caselle in Pittari

The local cuisine of Caselle in Pittari faithfully reflects the food and wine tradition of the area. It is a cuisine with a simple taste but with easily recognizable flavours.
The delicacies of this area will win over gourmets with genuine products. Among the typical dishes we find Mmaretata soup, literally "married soup", an appetising soup with vegetables, meat and cheese.
Unmissable are the pork fillet with white sauce and the fried rolls, served with a blended provolone sauce and decorated with olives. The delicious pancakes please every palate thanks to a soft batter enhanced by the presence of anchovies fried in olive oil. For those who can't do without dessert, there are Strufoli, delicate shortcrust pastry balls fried and then wrapped in hot honey.

Eating and Drinking in Caselle in Pittari

Among the many restaurants in the centre, we recommend:
Ristorante Zi Filomena in viale Roma, 11. Location that smells of typical, family run, excellent and tasty food, the result of excellent local products of own production and tasty local cuisine.
Osteria Tancredi in Chiesa street, 2. Very well-kept place where you can find genuine farm-to-table products. The young owners will offer you various modern reinterpretations of the typical dishes that leave the classic taste unchanged.
Agriturismo Pittari in Nazionale street, 168.  A welcoming and familiar place will take you on a tasty journey through local cuisine along the way. 

So what are you waiting for? Get your stuff ready and off you go!