 Introduction
The dairy farms that produce the Mozzarella di Bufala are great in number, and the freshest cheeses can be enjoyed in this city. But that's not all Battipaglia has to offer. Several other industries have set up shop here, including factories for steel, iron, electricity, and telecommunications. Castelluccio, a castle from the Middle Ages that sits atop a hill, is one of the city's main attractions, and archeological sites surround the region.
Arrival Plane
The closest airport is in Naples, the Aeroporto Internazionale di Napoli. It lies 90 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 offer flights from Munich. Frequent shuttle bus service connects the airport to the train station, where you can catch a train to Battipaglia.
Train
Trains run very frequently from Naples to Battipaglia. The journey takes roughly one hour and ten minutes.
Car
Just over an hour's journey from Naples, Battipaglia can be reached via the A3 Motorway. Head south to the Battipaglia exit.
History and Culture
Early documents describe Battipaglia as a settlement on the banks of the Tusciano River, and included within Salerno's princedom. It was during this period that the prince rented the land to the farmers who lived there in clusters of houses. Within each cluster there was a church, and the prince designated a priest for each small parish. The church of San Mattia which still exists today is one of them.
Three hamlets were formed in the 13th century. One was located by the castle, another by the Tusciano River bridge, and the third one in an area called Santa Maria. In 1857 the city became home to many survivors of an earthquake that shook the earth nearby. It was at this time that Battipaglia really began to develop. A central church was planned, and the famous designer Dompre was supposed to engineer it, but one night in 1860 he was murdered, and the church never was built.
The region became incredibly fertile in the 19th century, and agriculture blossomed. On March 28, 1929, the former Eboli hamlet became its own municipality. It was destroyed during World War II, having suffered sever bombings that started June 21, 1943 and continued through September 14. But the locals were strong, and they immediately built up the town again, and twenty years later it became a center of industry.
Churches and Museums
Construction began on this church in 1907, and it took ten years to complete. During World War II it was partially destroyed, but the statue of the Madonna inside remained nearly untouched. To protect the statue, the townspeople hid it in a cave, and in 1944 it was returned to the church which had been partially repaired. In 1980, Santa Maria della Speranza church was made a sanctuary.
San Mattia Monestary
This ancient church was constructed in the 11th century. An interesting part is the vestibule by the entrance which linked the monk's cells to the church in the 17th century. The church's apse is its oldest feature.
Santa Lucia di Sopra Church
This extravagant church is of baroque design. It includes three altars, and many decorations adorn the ceiling and main altar.
SS Giuseppe and Fortunato Church
This is another Battipaglia church which features the opulent Baroque design.
Historical Buildings and Monuments
Erected in 1563, this tower, round in shape, was built like so many other watchtowers along the Italian coast, to protect Battipaglia from pirate invaders. Now, it is a private dwelling
Castelluccio Castle
Constructed to defend the Battipaglia townspeople from the rising waters of the river Tusciano, it is situated high on a safe hill. Lovely frescoes can be seen within.
Places of Interest
Several archaeological sites can be found in the Battipaglia region. Arenosola includes over one hundred tombs which date from the seventh to the sixth centuries B.C. More ancient tombs, and a Roman villa, now in ruins, makes up the area known as San Giovanni and coins dating back to the year 211 B.C. were found in Scardalana.
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.
Paestum
This ancient town 20 km from Battipaglia, is worth visiting during your stay. 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.
Events
One of Battipaglia's most heralded event is the feast of its patron saint, Santa Maria della Speranza.
Links
Transport
Train Transport
Train Transport
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Battipaglia Travel Guide
