Panorama of S.Giovanni a Piro

In the southern Cilento, the coastal road from Marina di Camerota to Scario leads from the sea through the mountainous hinterland and onto the fertile high plateau of S.Giovanni a Piro. The village is situated on a viewing terrace high above the Gulf of Policastro and offers a panorama that I can never get enough of, at any time of day or in any weather – as seen here at sunrise, shortly after the last thunderstorms had passed by the coast.

But that’s not all – to the south, a small road leads to the pilgrimage church of Madonna di Pietrasanta, from whose forecourt another impressive view opens up over the village, the steeply rising Monte Bulgheria behind it, and even into the secluded mountain world of Cilento.

Finally, on a bend in the road, a path paved with rough stones leads to the so-called Belvedere, a viewpoint where a postcard-perfect scene awaits, featuring the Gulf of Policastro and the Calabrian coast.

S.Giovanni a Piro is also the starting point for the popular hike up Monte Bulgheria or along the wild Masseta coast.

More pictures in the Cilento Gallery.