 Introduction
Arrival Plane
The closest airport is in Naples, the Aeroporto Internazionale di Napoli. It lies 100 kilometers to the north, and accommodates flights from several Italian cities such as Rome, Milan, Turin, and Venice, as well as flights from around Europe. Easyjet runs direct flights out of London, Paris, and Berlin; and major airlines like Lufthansa offers flights from Munich. Frequent shuttle bus service connects the airport to the train station, where you can catch a train to the nearest station, Capaccio-Roccadaspide.
Train
Trains run fairly frequently from Naples to Capaccio-Roccadaspide, the station closest to Altavilla Silentina. The journey takes roughly one hour and thirty minutes, and the station is located about thirty-five minutes from Altavilla Silentina by taxi.
Car
The journey from Naples to Altavilla Silentina by car takes about an hour and thirty minutes. Follow Motorway A3 to the Campania exit. Then follow SS19 to Tempone, where you pick up the country road to Ponte Calore.
Bus
There is a bus service which runs between Salerno and Altavilla Silentina. The journey takes about one hour.
History and Culture
The land lay deserted and marshy for several decades after the fall of the Roman Empire. But when the Normans came along, lead by Roberto il Guiscardo, they founded the town of Altavilla. The town's advantageous situation on a hill was no accident. Guiscardo chose this spot especially because of its relative safety. The town was fortified during this time, with a wall and towers. When Guglielmo Sanseverino lead an uprising against Federico II, the towers were destroyed. Hundreds of men died during the fighting. One young boy named Roberto Sanseverino fled to the Pope's court, and when he became an adult he returned to the place where he was born, and rebuilt the town. The year was 1254.
Feudal times arose about a decade later. Notable family heads who ruled Altavilla Silentina during this time included Martino de Dordano and Giacomo Colonna. Both men did much to improve the town.
Epidemics like smallpox and malaria ravaged Altavilla Silentina during the 19th century, killing much of the town's population. But once the town recovered, new industries were created, and life in Altavilla Silentina was better than ever. That all changed during World War II when the town was occupied by the Germans, and heavily bombed. After the war, many new homes were constructed, and local farmers were given some land from the large estates.
Churches and Museums
Dating from the early 1300s, this church was restored in the 18th century, but continued to decay. In 1745 the structure was demolished and a new church constructed in 1776. Saint Germano's body has been kept within the church since 1779. There is also an organ dating from 1778, a marble main altar from 1782, and a statue of the Virgin Mary which is said to have spent three days crying in 1823.
Convent and Church of Saint Francis
Originally constructed in the 15th century, this church and convent underwent many renovations in the centuries following. Travertine holy water fonts with lovely relief adornment are important pieces. Within the Chapel of the SS. Conception can be found an 18th century statue of St. Antuono, a statue of St. Anthony, and St. Egidio's coat of arms. Seven altars fill the church including one dedicated to St. Theresa that features angels and a tabernacle with beautiful engravings.
Church of Saint Egidio
Constructed in 1100, the Normans built this church near the castle. In 1739 the original church was demolished, and a new one opened in 1756. Eleven windows line the walls of the Neoclassical-Romanesque church, and inside are statues of St. Emiddio, St. Biagio, St. Sofia, St. Vincenzo Ferreri, and Our Lady of the Rosary.
Church of Saint Antonino
In 1626 the Church of Saint Antonino was a church parish. In 1731 the roof fell in, so many years were spent rebuilding the structure. It was reopened in 1796, newly constructed in the Baroque style. An interesting painting by Saverio Mottola, dating from 1796 shows the Virgin Mary surrounded by those in Purgatory. Another fine painting of the Virgin has her situated on the moon with angels all around her. St. Carlo Borromeo is at her feet. A third work depicting the Virgin Mary has St. Antonino by her side.
The Carmelite Church
Dating from the 16th century, this church located on Umberto Square initially included just one altar, and one painting of the Virgin Mary. The church was renovated in 1747 when an organ was added. Several other updates occurred in the following decades, notably the addition of the rose window in the 1930s. A statue of St. Lucy dates from the 12th century.
Church of Montevergine
Located outside town on a 345 meter high hill, the Church of Montevergine was initially known as St. Mary of the Forest. Ceiling frescoes added in the 1950s depicting the Virgin Mary join other lovely works of art within the church.
Historical Buildings and Monuments
This large, central square in Altavilla Silentina is named after the Archduke of Austria who was assassinated in Sarajevo. Acacia trees surround the square, and in the center lies a fountain dating from 1932. The statue of a soldier once existed as a war memorial created by Tello Torelli in 1934, but was vandalized too badly to repair, and in 1966 a new monument replaced it. The names listed on the monument are soldiers who lost their lives in the first world war.
The Castle
Originally built in the Baroque style, the castle underwent a variety of architectural updates over the centuries. A staircase was built in 1831 which leads from the castle to the square. Inside there is an interesting well from medieval times, and the Colonnas coat of arms can be found on the front door.
Places of Interest
Located just to the west of town, this region has been undergoing extensive archaeological excavations. An important relief depicting a banquet was found here in 1874. Ancient tombs were discovered by a local farmer. They turned out to be part of a major religious complex dating from the 7th Century. The church and necropolis look to have been abandoned just two hundred years after they were erected.
Carilla
This nearby town was important during Roman times. Excavations have unearthed a wealth of interesting artifacts as well as the ruins of an ancient chapel with a statue depicting Our Lady of Snow.
Paestum
This ancient town is nearby, and worth visiting during your stay in Altavilla Silentina. The Greek city was in the 7th century B.C. founded, and today is preserved by the National Archaeological Museum. Several exceptional examples of Greek architecture and monuments are found here.
Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano
Stretching from the Tyrrheanian coast to the Apennines, including the Alburni Mountains, this is an extraordinary natural park rich in ecological discoveries. It's hiking and biking trails are steeped in myth, traversing ancient paths of pilgrims and settlers.
Events
Each year the people of Altavilla Silentina come out in full force to celebrate the feast of Saint Anthony. Concerts and celebrations occur all week long, and a procession through town of the statue of St. Anthony rounds out the event.
Links
Train Transport
Train Transport
National Park
City's Official Website
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