Cicerale

Located along the slopes of a hill that rises over the high course of the River Alento, between the plain of Paestum and that of Velia, Cicerale extending over an area of 41 square kilometers is the largest municipality of Cilento. The town, surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation, includes the localities of Monte Cicerale and takes its name from the Latin "cicer", indicating the chickpeas fields that were cultivated in the area. The first historical records of Cicerale date back to the 15th century, precisely to 1461 when King Ferdinand I of Aragon gave it, together with other fiefs, to the Sanseverinos who, in turn, granted it to the Gentilcore family, reserving however jurisdiction over the fiefdom. It is known that this town played an important role in the control of the viability between the plain of Paestum and that of Velia, which also gave it an important commercial role in the area.
The hilly landscape, the nearby Monte Cicerale and the valley of the Alento River offer the opportunity to walk along wonderful trails in contact with nature. One of the most beautiful is the one that goes from the river Alento to the Feudo di Corbella, defined in the past as "La Porta del Cilento". Cicerale is above all the land of chickpeas. Grown from the year 1000 the Cicerale’s chickpeas are recognized as a “Slow Food” product.

Located along the slopes of a hill that rises over the high course of the River Alento, between the plain of Paestum and that of Velia, Cicerale extending over an area of 41 square kilometers is the largest municipality of Cilento. The town, surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation, includes the localities of Monte Cicerale and takes its name from the Latin "cicer", indicating the chickpeas fields that were cultivated in the area. The first historical records of Cicerale date back to the 15th century, precisely to 1461 when King Ferdinand I of Aragon gave it, together with other fiefs, to the Sanseverinos who, in turn, granted it to the Gentilcore family, reserving however jurisdiction over the fiefdom. It is known that this town played an important role in the control of the viability between the plain of Paestum and that of Velia, which also gave it an important commercial role in the area.
The hilly landscape, the nearby Monte Cicerale and the valley of the Alento River offer the opportunity to walk along wonderful trails in contact with nature. One of the most beautiful is the one that goes from the river Alento to the Feudo di Corbella, defined in the past as "La Porta del Cilento". Cicerale is above all the land of chickpeas. Grown from the year 1000 the Cicerale’s chickpeas are recognized as a “Slow Food” product.