Welcome to Santa Maria

Welcome, Simon and Paula to Cilento and to Santa Maria. Finally you are here and I hope you love it as much

as I do. Many Brits and Americans tend to go on holiday to the Amalfi Coast, but the savvy Italians head

straight past and head for the Cilento Coast, which is still a secret they like to keep to themselves. The resort of

Santa Maria is very pretty and has built up around a fishing village and dates back to the 16th Century. The

beaches have recently been awarded with at Blue Flag. The beach stretches along to San Marco and dotted

along the beach are Lido’s where you can enjoy lunch and hire a sun bed for the day.

Banks

In Santa Maria you will find 2 banks. One, the Banco di Napoli located on the corner of the square next to the

town hall and above Bar Belleville. Open Monday to Friday from 08.20 to 13.35 and 14.50 to 15.35. Also the

Cassa Rurale and the Artesian bank in the main street, the corso, on the right hand side. Open Monday to

Friday from 08.30 to 13.20 and 15.00 to 15.45. Both have cash points. There are no banks in San Marco but

there is a Bancomat (cash point) at Bar La Torreta at roundabout before turning off to San Marco.

CHEMIST

Located in the main high street, the corso. Look for a green cross sign. Open Monday to Sunday 09.00 to 13.00

and 17.00 to 20.00. Closed on Thursday and Sunday afternoons. On these occasions the chemist in San Marco

is open, situated at the junction. There is also an emergency clinic at the top of the high street

CHURCH

The church of Santa Maria a Mare, opposite the New Hotel Sonia. Services held Monday to Saturday at 19.30

and Sunday at 07.30, 11.00 and 18.30. The church of San Marco, situated in the small piazza in the centre of

the village. Services held Monday to Saturday at 19.00 and Sunday 07.30, 10.30 and 19.30.

LOCAL TRANSPORT

Nearest train station Agropoli. About 15kms away. This is the main line from Naples to Reggio Calabria –

Naples to Rome etc. For local buses (orange) go to the Piazza Santa Lucia. Timetable on the board. For buses to

Salerno go to the Padre Pio square at the top of the high street. For hire car, please give us a call. There is a bus

stop in the main square and from here you can get to San Marco (neighbouring Fishing village) and to

Castellabate. The Corso is the main shopping street. Along the Corso you will find many shops, delis, and at

the far end of the main street to the right a spar supermarket. Along the Corso to the left is a lovely perfume

shope called Profumeria Monia, she sells a perfume there called Aqua D’Elba, and you cannot buy it in the UK.

Go in and try it, as it is really lovely and something you may like to take home with you. The shops along the

Corso close at 1pm and re open at 5pm. Shops are open late.

Along Corso on right, is a deli called La Buffalina.. can get all sorts in here.. local cheese... meats, sun dried

tomatoes, olives. I recently bought 6 Euro block of Parmesan and they vacuum packed for me to bring home. I

left it in the fridge in apt, gutted.

If you wanted to get a taxi anywhere and enjoy a few drinks, then Domenico is the best person to call.

His local number is 00 39 537 1573

He speaks good English.

Local Wine - A great local wine is Kleos, a delicious red, priced locally around 15 Euros per bottle. A real treat.

The young, Luiji Maffini vineyard, also produces, Kratos a crisp white wine. The best in the range is Il Cenito. If

you would like to visit a vineyard and taste some local wine, we can arrange wine tasting, so let us know. Also

Donna Luna is good red and Baci al Cielo (Kiss the Sky)..

Local History – Castellabate (The medieval hilltop village you will see looking up from Santa Maria)

Situated between the ancient Greek cities of Paestum and Velia, Castellabate belongs to the National Park of

the Cilento within the protected Seacoast – Area whose beaches are between Punta Licosa with its lighthouse

and Punta Tresino. Castellabate belongs to the Patrimony of the humanity of the UNESCO due to its historical

centre and ever since 1999 it receives the BANDIERA BLU (blue flag) of the for the transparency of its waters.

The municipal territory is 37kmq, divided between five villages: Lago, S.Maria, S:Marco, Ogliastro Marina and

Castellabate. The territory of Castellabate as been inhabited ever since the Greek-Roman age and in 1120

Costabile Gentilcore, said to be born on the promontory of Tresino and IV abbot of the Monastery of Cava dei

Tirreni (near Salerno) started the construction of a fortress, that the population after some decades called “the

castle of the abbot”, hence the name Castellabate. The ancient village is still intact with its ancient lanes and

mysterious passages, many of which lead to the pontifical Basilica devoted to the “ Maddona dell”Assunta”

with the Romanesque bell tower of the XIII century.

Today Castellabate is a favourite destination amongst national and international tourism which appreciates

the long sandy beaches, areas of cliffs, extended woods, its blue unpolluted sea, its mild climate throughout

the year, the friendliness of its inhabitants and its historical background. If you look up from Santa Maria you

will notice the castle perched on a hill. This is the beautiful medieval village of Castellabate. This Village has

risen around the castle built by the abbot Costabile Gentilcore in 1120-1123, from the Belvedere-Terrace, gives

a breathtaking view of the whole coast, rich of suggestions and of fascinating colours. The castle, the pontifical

Basilica of Angioina-Time, the tall medieval bell tower, the eighteenth-century villas of upper class families, the

narrow lanes, ancient pathways, stairs, arches and little squares are the principal attractions of its historical

centre

Santa Maria di Castellabate is the most popular village of Castellabate. At the end of the XIX century the

historical centre of S. Maria started due to the foresight of some families like the Perrotti and the Forzaiati that

allowed the urbanization on their agricultural coastal property. Demographically and economically grown

today there is the town hall, the police station and customs station, the First Aid clinics, football camps and

other sports and numerous commercial activities and shops. The beautiful properties of Belmonte and

Matarazzo are real green lungs for S:Maria with their huge parks and little harbours “Lu Traviersu” or “Delle

Gatte” in front of the houses of the fishermen and summer residences like the Perrotti-Palace with the

Pagliarola-Tower facing the sea, offer delightful walks and sights. Around the old fisherman's houses you will

find a fabulous bar called Le Gatte, popular with locals, and gets busy weekends and later on in the evening

around midnight.

S.MARCO di Castellabate is rich of archaeological testimonies due to the 150 burial sites with funeral

registrations of the I and II century AD that have been found and the ancient Roman harbour near which the

modern tourist harbour has been built. .San Marco is a busy working port, and all being well the Metro Mare

water taxis are still running so you can use this service to explore the coastline further south of San Marco and

north to the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

I can arrange boat Trips with scuba diving and snorkelling. Boats depart from San Marco, from 10am until 2pm.

Please call for further information or if you head down to San Marco you can hire boats or get someone to

take you out for a few hours..

My Secret Italy Treats....

Mention my name .. in Belleville to Mario the little guy that serves drinks..

In Italian if you say

Amici (ameechee) di Julia...

BAR BELLEVILLE - this bar is in the main square in Santa Maria, they offer a great seating area where

you can sit and watch the world go by. This is where the locals enjoy coffee, and their afternoon and

early evening Apperitivo. This ritual takes place between the hours of 12-1pm and then 7-8pm and

this is when the locals enjoy a drink before dinner or lunch. A great local drink to try is Crodino, a

bitter, orange drink which is refreshing and a great appetiser. Usually crisps and nibbles are served

at this time of the day with any drinks you may have at this time.

Remember the coffee law in Italy, Cappuccino for breakfast, never after 11am. Café after lunch and

dinner. If you prefer the shot of coffee with hot milk, then ask for Machiatto.

Ristorante Per Bacco on the sea front, as you walk towards Torre Perrotti (the big tower on beach

almost), the restaurant is on the left facing the sea. They offer a complimentary drink after dinner,

and specialise in Antipasto, fish and wonderful Buffalo steaks, typical of the area. Pre booking is a

good idea and we are happy to call for you. Next to Per Bacco is the Bar Bafo, run by a lovely couple,

who have had the bar for 37 years. Frequented by the locals and the best place for ice-cream. This

bar is tucked into the corner between Per Bacco and Arelecchino. The bar is called Moustache bar

after the owners once famous moustache!

Lido Azzuro - On the main beach, the 2nd Lido along, which has yellow sun beds, will offer

complimentary sun beds and umbrellas for the day if you stay for lunch (saving 18 euros) Lunch is

fab, salads, fish, pasta.. Mention my name to Franco or Domenico.

Amodio Shoes, boots and bags, along the Corso on the right. 10 per cent discount on latest season,

but some great discounts on now.

Il Cantuccio Restaurant - tucked away in the far right hand corner of the main square. Good idea to

book as popular with the locals. They offer fish, meat and Pizza. Owner is called Danielle, mention

MSI and you will be well looked after. One of my favourite places to eat as great menu. Good steak,

Pasta, fish and Pizz

Arlecchino – Pizzeria, just below the beautiful Torre Perrotti. Great for Pizzas, either to eat in or take

away. Just mention My Secret Italy, for your treats.

Punta dell Inferno (closed on a Tuesday). Mention me to Marisa. Best Pizza anywhere outside of

Naples. Old Neopolitan recipe. It is along sea front away from 1861, so you need to walk along high

street, turn left at bar EMMA and along sea front you will see it..

Best Restaurants in Castellabate.

Il Calesse, opposite the castle, gorgeous pizza, pasta, steak in a private walled garden setting.

Mocaria. (Will need to pre book) most romantic place ever. Save this for a special evening, maybe

Saturday night. I would need to book, so call me to book. It is easy to get to. As you drive up to

Castellabate from Santa Maria it is just before you enter the village on the left on a bend.