The village
The village of Agropoli preserves its ancient historic center and part of the city walls. The entrance to the borough passes through the gateway to the historic center and up the "scaloni," a flight of steps consisting of low, wide steps and protected by a wall that features battlements echoing those of the gateway.
The entrance door consists of two openings, a smaller one to the right of the main arch, and is surmounted by battlements. The door is made inside of local stone and blends in with the castle walls. On the top of the door is the coat of arms of the Dukes Delli Monti Sanfelice, the last dukes to whose fiefdom Agropoli belonged.
The Angevin Aragonese Castle is situated on the top of the ancient historic center and from here it is possible to admire an enchanting view, a view that left even Ungaretti astonished when he speaks of Agropoli in the third part of his "The Desert and After," entitled "Mezzogiorno." Today the castle is a venue for cultural events, and its inner garden is often used as an outdoor theater.
The Punta Fortino Lighthouse is the Lighthouse of the port of Agropoli, perfectly active in its present state. The Lighthouse tower was built in 1929 and rises 10 meters; it is located at the edge of the historic center, where the city walls end with an overhang over the sea called "La Rupe." The Lighthouse Tower is one of the symbols of Agropoli, visible from the seafront, and its Venetian-style construction is peculiar.
The Agropoli Furnace today is a museum center hosting exhibitions, cultural events and food and wine tastings. It was founded in 1880 in Campamento as a brick-making factory and remained active until 1970. It is a good example of cultural redevelopment of an industrial plant.
The entrance door consists of two openings, a smaller one to the right of the main arch, and is surmounted by battlements. The door is made inside of local stone and blends in with the castle walls. On the top of the door is the coat of arms of the Dukes Delli Monti Sanfelice, the last dukes to whose fiefdom Agropoli belonged.
The Angevin Aragonese Castle is situated on the top of the ancient historic center and from here it is possible to admire an enchanting view, a view that left even Ungaretti astonished when he speaks of Agropoli in the third part of his "The Desert and After," entitled "Mezzogiorno." Today the castle is a venue for cultural events, and its inner garden is often used as an outdoor theater.
The Punta Fortino Lighthouse is the Lighthouse of the port of Agropoli, perfectly active in its present state. The Lighthouse tower was built in 1929 and rises 10 meters; it is located at the edge of the historic center, where the city walls end with an overhang over the sea called "La Rupe." The Lighthouse Tower is one of the symbols of Agropoli, visible from the seafront, and its Venetian-style construction is peculiar.
The Agropoli Furnace today is a museum center hosting exhibitions, cultural events and food and wine tastings. It was founded in 1880 in Campamento as a brick-making factory and remained active until 1970. It is a good example of cultural redevelopment of an industrial plant.
Churches
Near the Castle stands the Mother Church of Saints Peter and Paul, patron saints of the town of Agropoli. The Church has very ancient origins and is linked both to the figure of St. Peter who was a fisherman, in keeping with the seafaring vocation of the people of Agropoli, and to the landing of St. Paul near Agropoli. The church has been restored several times, but preserves intact the choir, pulpit and wooden confessional. Among the altars, the oldest is dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, while the one dedicated to the Patron Saints dates from the 18th century.
The Church of St. Mary of Constantinople was built during the 16th century; tradition tells of a statue of Our Lady that was found in the sea and in whose honor the Church was built. The feast in honor of Our Lady of Constantinople is celebrated on July 24 and takes place with a procession through the streets of the village and into the sea. Inside the Church it is possible to admire a peculiarity that harks back to the Byzantine origin of the cult; the statue of Our Lady sees, in fact, Mary holding the child with her left arm, as Byzantine iconography dictates
The Church of St. Mary of Constantinople was built during the 16th century; tradition tells of a statue of Our Lady that was found in the sea and in whose honor the Church was built. The feast in honor of Our Lady of Constantinople is celebrated on July 24 and takes place with a procession through the streets of the village and into the sea. Inside the Church it is possible to admire a peculiarity that harks back to the Byzantine origin of the cult; the statue of Our Lady sees, in fact, Mary holding the child with her left arm, as Byzantine iconography dictates
Beaches
Agropoli's sea has been awarded Blue Flag recognition several times. The beach of San Marco, near the Lungomare, is the largest and is especially chosen by families; it is an equipped beach, with recreational facilities for children and bathing establishments. The sand found here is peculiar, a black sand of volcanic origin, therefore rich in minerals.
Trentova Bay is named for the Trentova Rock, a small islet connected to the coast by a strip of land on which you can walk. The name of this beach comes from the folk tale: it is said, in fact, that thirty seagull or sea turtle eggs were found here in some of the caves that make up the bay. The seabed is shallow and sandy and the sea crystal clear; it is called, not surprisingly, "the beach of the Cilentani."
Near Trentova Bay is the smaller Bay of San Francesco, named after the Monastery of St. Francis located here and the rock of the same name in the middle of the sea. It is a rocky beach, in a corner that is never too crowded, for those who want to enjoy some privacy and relaxation
Trentova Bay is named for the Trentova Rock, a small islet connected to the coast by a strip of land on which you can walk. The name of this beach comes from the folk tale: it is said, in fact, that thirty seagull or sea turtle eggs were found here in some of the caves that make up the bay. The seabed is shallow and sandy and the sea crystal clear; it is called, not surprisingly, "the beach of the Cilentani."
Near Trentova Bay is the smaller Bay of San Francesco, named after the Monastery of St. Francis located here and the rock of the same name in the middle of the sea. It is a rocky beach, in a corner that is never too crowded, for those who want to enjoy some privacy and relaxation
