The Municipalities of Cilento

Sapri has attracted many admirers over the centuries because of its ideal location at the centre of the golfo di Policastro. Cicero described it as parva gemma marìs inferì (small gem of the southern sea) An imposing ancient roman villa was built here in the local district of Cammarelle together with its own private port, theatre and bath. The rums of this ancient complex are open to visitors, but most of the stonework is probably being reused in the edification of new buildings. There is much evidence of Sapri’s Roman heritage: portions of the aqueduct, roads and ancient tombs. The town was probably uninhabited during the Middle Ages because of its proximity to the sea and the main roads, but it became a thriving centre again during the 18th centre when a noble family, the torracas, built their summer residences here.