The Cilento offers an outstanding cultural landscape. The groups of sanctuaries and settlements along its three east-west mountain ranges represent vividly the historical development of the area: It was a major route not only for trade but also for cultural and political interaction during the prehistoric and medieval periods. The Cilento was also the boundary between the Greek colonies of Magna Grecia and the indigenous Etruscan and Lucan. The remains of two major cities from classical temples, Paestum and Velia, UNESCO heritage, They are here.
An oasis that safeguards biodiversity
Cilento is a very fascinating land rich in treasures to be discovered and admired. In the heart of the most beautiful, unspoilt nature are the Caves of Morigerati, immersed in the Oasis Bussento and the river itself. The Oasis was born in 1985 following a conservation project to protect the territory and the biodiversity created by the WWF Italy. Extended for about 607 ha, this oasis serves as protection to the fauna of the place and also the hydrogeological land.
Morigerati is a municipality located in the Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano and is located precisely on top of a cliff that overlooks the oasis and the Grotte. Here it was set up a nature trail and a picnic area for tourists visiting the caves. You can book guided tours, labor camps, green weeks, fields of study and research.
This is a stunning natural setting with trails and spectacular views and small parking areas to rest or where you can observe animals in their natural habitat.
Flora and fauna
The bottom of the Bussento River Gorge is rich in thick vegetation, made of moss and ferns as well as the most typical willows and alders, as well as live oaks, roverella, ash and hornbeam Northwest; to the southeast instead you can admire the spurge, the Ampelodesma and mastic.
If we talk about wildlife, instead, in particular the river area of ​​Bussento is the richest with regard to otters. In the vicinity of the springs live populations of a particular type of salamander, the spectacled salamander, while in the river you can be found for the largest trout, shrimp and crabs, but in the clearest areas also the dipper, Italic frog, la rana Dalmatia, the yellow-bellied toad and the toad. Finally, in the more rocky areas has its abode the harrier, large bird of prey whose feeding is constituted from reptiles present in the Oasis. Other birds that frequent the area are also the goshawk, kestrels, the kite and finally the raven.
The path to see this marvel begins with a stone-paved mule track hewn from the rock, then after a series of downhill bends you arrive at the entrance of the cave, you enter with a stone ladder. Past the canyon carved by the river, You reach the stunning views located along the gorge, constituted for the most part of clear and fresh waters that go to form the spectacular rapids and waterfalls. The river Bussento, which extends for about 7 km, also traverses an underground tract, offering one of the most important karst phenomena in Italy.
How to reach the place?
in car: after exiting from the A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria motorway to the Buonabitacolo exit, It must take the SS. 517 and go towards the junction of Caselle in Pittari or, as an alternative to that of Sicilì. Passing through the junction of Vibonati, however you can get to Morigerati by SS. 18.
On the train: the closest station to stop is to Sapri, on the line Battipaglia- Reggio Calabria. The races are daily and very frequent. The same is true for buses.
