Camerota

66 minutes far from La Suscella

Set in the heart of Cilento and in the Vallo del Diano National Park, Marina di Camerota is the seaside village of the Municipality of Camerota. It is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biosphere reserve and it is considered the southernmost inhabited centre in Campania. The name of Camerota has an uncertain etymology: according to a legend, the origin of the name is linked to that of a girl as beautiful as a goddess but with a heart of stone for which Palinuro, Aeneas’ coachman, lost his heart and life. Outraged by the woman’s cruelty, the goddess Venus turned her into the rock on which today stands the rocky promontory of Marina di Camerota.

More realistically, it seems that Camerota was founded in the sixth century BC by the Phoceans, a population of Greek origin. Its name probably comes from the Greek Kamaratòn, meaning “arch construction”, but its origins could be even more ancient, as evidenced by the archaeological finds, dating back mainly to the Stone Age. Marina di Camerota began to take shape in the 17th century. At the time on the Capo degli Infreschi there was a small residential settlement identified with the name of Marina di Linfreschi. At the beginning it was only a series of houses inhabited by fishermen and farmers assigned to the coastal fortifications, but over time some sailors from the Amalfi and Sorrento coasts began to settle on the coast immediately before the natural port of the Infreschi. The town then began to expand around a church dedicated to San Nicola, which had already existed since 1616. In 1848, Ferdinand II Borbone signed the decree that established: “The aggregate of houses along the Camerota coast takes the name of Marina di Camerota “. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Marina di Camerota suffered the phenomenon of emigration, directed in particular towards South America and Venezuela.

With its rocky but practicable coast, with its coves ready to be discovered and the wide beaches bathed by crystal clear water, this town bases its economy largely on tourism. Despite this being the primary activity, Marina di Camerota has preserved many of its traditions, such as the craftsmanship of olive wood and stone, the characteristic woven baskets, the art of embroidery and the production of pottery (genre of ceramics white-bodied, fine-textured). In Marina di Camerota, summer offers a kaleidoscope of events, demonstrations and celebrations that will fascinate anyone who visits this splendid tourist resort. In June we go from “Parrandeando” (an event full of musical performances, exhibitions, food tastings and American and Cilento cultural events) to the historic “Meeting del Mare” (a great musical event). August offers the most popular event, the Feast of San Domenico, patron saint of the city (for the occasion, the town is filled with markets and concerts and the evening culminates with magnificent fireworks display over the sea). Also in August, the Feast of San Lazzaro is celebrated (the celebrations begin with the departure of the boats from the port of Marina di Camerota and end with the characteristic procession of boats and the blessing of the sea and boats). Absolutely not to be missed is the “Carnival of Cilento”, where for the occasion Palinuro and Marina di Camerota dress up and parade with their allegorical floats, creating imaginative shows and choreographies through the streets of Marina up to the port, where it is held the announcement of the winner. The month of September offers various ideas such as: “Camerota Live”, a 10km foot race; “La Festa del Mare” in the port area, with local craft stands, fish and wine tastings; “The Fisherman’s Festival”, a day entirely dedicated to the theme of fishing, the environment, and food and wine.

Thanks to its naturalistic beauties, Marina di Camerota boasts several awards: the Association of Italian Pediatricians in April 2016 awarded the Green Flag to the tourist resort Cilentana, because it is considered among the best beaches in Italy for families with children. While in May 2016 for the tenth consecutive year, Marina di Camerota was awarded the Blue Flag for tourist landings. Marina di Camerota is among the top hundred seaside resorts in Italy. The several archaeological testimonies from different eras that enchant lovers of ancient history certainly deserve attention, and finally the city centre with its enchanting promenade and a tourist port that still preserves the structure of the ancient fishing village and keeps its historical, cultural and gastronomic traditions.

The coastal area includes to the west the areas and localities of Grotta del Ciclope (which housed a famous nightclub), Cala del Cefalo, Cala Finocchiara, Cala d’Arconte (with an adjacent islet) and Calanca. To the east there is Lentiscelle.

Sources: PaesiOnline (https://www.paesionline.it/italia/guida-marina_di_camerota) Wikipedia (https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_di_Camerota)