Castel San Lorenzo, the wine village

Perched on a hill dominating the Calore Valley, Castel San Lorenzo is one of the most representative centres of inland Cilento and ties its identity to the culture of wine: in the 1960s, the local cooperative winery became a model of agricultural cooperation in Southern Italy, involving several municipalities in the valley, and from this experience a quality wine production was born that has made the Barbera DOC of Castel San Lorenzo famous, a grape variety that arrived from the North and perfectly adapted to the sunny hills of the area. The village is a dense tangle of stone alleyways that wind their way up through churches, small squares and palaces linked to the history of the Carafa princes. On the days of the patron saints' days dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian or St John the Baptist, the processions become moments of collective conviviality, while no less interesting are the experiences of visiting and tasting nougat craft workshops and those where the 'cente votive', elaborate decorative structures carried in procession during religious festivals, are made. The village is also an ideal starting point for discovering the valley's nature: just a few minutes from the centre flows the Calore river, an ideal destination for walks, activities such as river trekking and cultural visits to the old mill that stands along its course and is dedicated to local memory. To stay, one can choose between small structures surrounded by greenery (such as the B&B La Ginestra) or agritourisms in the surrounding countryside (such as Tenuta Tosi and Difesa del Principe), where rural life becomes part of the travel experience. For lovers of good food, on the other hand, the 'right' addresses are the Osteria Mucciolone, which offers a contemporary reinterpretation of local cuisine, and trattorias such as La Stella del Calore or La Vecchia Cantina, which maintain a more traditional feel.