About 150 km to the south of Naples, at the coast of the Cilento, there is the small town Casal Velino. The main place lies approx. for 150 m on the hills of the Monte Stella. The historical local centre with its bent lanes finds its origin before approx. 2500 years ago. Originally Greeks inhabited the area of the current antique excavation site Velia.

The place belonging to to the municipality Marina di Casal Velino, lies directly at the sea and offers a 7 km beach of fine sand , abandoned bays, small fishing harbour and yachting harbour, a long seafront as well as many cafes and ice-cream parlours.

There are to be visit the impressive ruins of the antique Elia (with the Romans as "Velia" well-known). The chapel S. Mattew, in that the relics of the Saint Mattew were kept for along time, before one transferred them to Salerno.

By the small harbour daily boat trips for the grottos of Capo Palinuro, for Punta Licosa, for Porto Infreschi and to the famous island Capri are offered.


Pro Loco
(tourist information, maps, meeting references,
bicycle rental etc..)
At the harbour (beside the police)
84040 Casal Velino Marina
Phone: 0974-907189


Station
The next railway station is Vallo della Lucania (approx. 5 km) or Ascea (approx. 3 km).

Only few kilometer far away from Casal Velino, lies the excavation place of Velia/Elia. The site was created 524 (BC) by the Phocaen. Fled before the Turk from Persia, they bought the fruitful ground directly at the sea. As commercial town Velia arrived to wealth, particularly famous became the city by its philosopher school. The sand silting of the harbour led later to the fall of Velia.

So far only parts of the antique town are excavated. With the visits one meets only few tourists, so that there is the possibility to amble over the area.