Overview
An open-air history book
The town of Auletta is rather like an open-air history book. Its buildings bear witness to different eras, and the old village still retains three of its ancient gateways: Porta Fiume, Porta Castello and Porta Rivellino. As you stroll through the streets towards Piazza Castello, you will also see the Marchesale Castle. In Piazza Raffaele Giallorenzo, on the other hand, you will find a tribute to the man who gave the square its name: a partisan killed by firing squad in the 'Pinerolo massacre'. A walk through Auletta certainly has a lot to teach you, if you keep your eyes open!
The backdrop is stunning. As you gaze at the village from a distance, you can see the buildings surrounded by the rich greenery of the olive trees, cultivated here for centuries and which thrive in the fertile landscape. Auletta is particularly well-suited to agriculture as it stands at the confluence of two rivers: the Bianco and the Tanagro.
Auletta is also famous for its traditional gastronomy, notably 'pizza chiena' and extra-virgin olive oil. The 'pizza chiena' is a savoury pie made at Easter time. Each town fills the pie with the best of its local produce: in Alburni it's filled with egg, toma cheese, cured ham and sometimes rice, while in Auletta and the villages along the Tanagro river, you'll find another version stuffed with egg, toma cheese and other soft cheeses, as well as white artichoke.
The construction of the massive castle can be dated to the 12th century, when the entire settlement of Auletta was part of the defensive system of the Duchy of Salerno. In 1494 the castle was restored and extended, by the Duke of Calabria and Antonio Marchesi of Florence, in the form which you see today. Thanks to these improvements and its advantageous location, the castle withstood the siege of the Spanish army of Charles V in 1535. It became a residence of the nobility, changing hands several times, and even today is privately-owned.
The city of Auletta is known throughout the world as the city of olive oil, after the cultivation methods were brought to Cilento by the Greeks in the 6th century BC. It is thought that the name Auletta may originate from the Latin word "olea", which means "olive". The climatic and soil conditions are perfect for olive growing.
Credit to: Gianfranco Vitolo
84031 Auletta SA, Italia
