Pisciotta, Italian commune in Campania
Pisciotta is a small commune in the province of Salerno, situated on a hilltop about 170 meters above sea level. The town consists of narrow stone-paved streets lined with stone houses, centered around Piazzetta del Cannone where an old cannon is displayed, and features important buildings including the Palazzo Marchesale Pappacoda and two churches - the Parrocchiale dei Santi Apostoli Pietro e Paolo with a possible painting by Solimena and the small Cappella di San Michele built in the late 1600s.
Pisciotta was founded in medieval times and follows a traditional urban layout with houses built around a hilltop, characteristic of many medieval settlements. The town was once under the control of the Templars and later experienced attacks by pirates and foreign soldiers, but developed despite these struggles through olive oil trade and maritime commerce.
Pisciotta is known for its fishing traditions, particularly the ancient menaica method for catching anchovies, which is celebrated every year in June with a festival. The town is also recognized as the sixth Cat Village in Italy, where friendly cats roam the streets and form part of daily life.
You can reach Pisciotta easily by train at the Pisciotta-Palinuro station, which is about 2 hours from Naples, or by car following the A3 highway and signs for the Cilento region. Buses also connect the town to different parts of Italy, and the nearby coast has beaches suitable for swimming and relaxation.
The town sits within the protected Cilento National Park, which features forests, rugged coastlines, and mountain views that attract hikers and nature lovers. The Sentiero del Castelluccio is a popular trail passing through different parts of the Cilento with wide views of the sea and hills.
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