Vibonati

Vibonati is an ancient medieval village perched on a thin rocky outcrop only two kilometers from the sea. The village is distinguished by its many fine stone gates, noble palaces and views and views that provoke intense fascination, true peculiarities of the Salerno village.
In this locality, naturalistic beauties are perfectly combined with architectural ones, thus creating a unique atmosphere.

Religious monuments, noble palaces and historic center
Among the religious monuments, the Sanctuary of St. Anthony Abbot stands out in the upper part of Vibonati. The sumptuous building, originally built in the Romanesque style, has undergone various restorations over time, which also led to the replacement of the old bell tower. The church features a nave and two side aisles. Its interior houses a painting depicting the saint, a pipe organ and other interesting works.

In the lower part of Vibonati, on the other hand, the Convent of St. Francis of Paola is worth a visit, inside which an exceptional crib exhibition has been inaugurated; it is the Logos Museum. The majestic exhibition traces some 2,500 years of history through the most significant and touching stages in the life of Jesus. An evocative story retraced in the Convent through a large number of self-propelled statues. An emotional and engaging journey along the 27 rooms set up: a nativity museum with record numbers. Also worth mentioning among Vibonati's churches are the churches of Santa Lucia, San Lazzaro and Santissima Annunziata.

Walking around the Salerno village does not go unnoticed either, the historic center, much of which can only be visited on foot. Among the panoramic views, the portals that decorate the narrow streets of the village, the stairways and the historic mansions visiting the historic center of Vibonati is an enchanting discovery. The Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo De Nicolellis and Palazzo Colimodio are just a few examples of the fine noble buildings in the area.

In Vibonati, nature is the undisputed protagonist. Here it is possible to admire one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the province but also the least known, this is the Fountain of Aphrodite, a place where the colors and sounds of nature create a whole new atmosphere. To get to the spring, you have to walk a winding path through the forest, but it will allow you to breathe a sigh of relief as soon as you reach the waterfall, where the water is even drinkable.

Vacation in Villammare, awarded the Blue Flag
Vibonati's only hamlet is Villammare, a seaside resort characterized by its many fishermen's cottages. This beautiful seaside hamlet belongs to the Gulf of Policastro and proudly presents a delightful sea with transparent waters; in fact, it is regularly awarded the Blue Flag. Villammare is a renowned tourist spot, close to the Cilento hills and not far from the Cilento Park. Here, at the end of the promenade and dominating the seaside village is a fascinating Saracen tower, called "Petrosa." This square-shaped tower was built in 1595 to defend the village from raids from the sea by various pillaging peoples.

The Feast of St. Anthony in Vibonati
In the ancient hill town of Vibonati, the festival par excellence is the patronal feast in honor of St. Anthony, scheduled for January 17 each year. An old tradition that still keeps its religious charge intact today. Here the feast of St. Anthony is an expression of a community strongly tied to its ancient roots, with customs and traditions handed down from generation to generation. On this day the inhabitants welcome visitors from all over Campania with open arms, for one of the most anticipated events in Cilento.

On the night between January 16 and 17, the sound of bells punctuate the life of the Cilento village, while dozens of bonfires are staged along the narrow streets and in the courtyards. For the occasion, the skill of the local housewives also becomes the protagonist, engaged for hours on end especially in the preparation of migliatieddi or mugliatiello, lamb and kid intestines embellished with different flavorings and roasted over embers. However, the essence of the feast remains, of course, the procession that, from morning, winds through the alleys of the village and ends with the fireworks display. This is a deeply felt religious event that lasts for hours and involves a large number of participants.