Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, National park in Salerno Province, Italy.
Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni is a protected territory in the Province of Salerno that connects coastal stretches along the Tyrrhenian Sea with mountain ridges and plateaus of the Campanian Apennines. Within its boundaries, coves, rivers, caves, and forested slopes alternate, while villages and ancient ruins are scattered across the terrain.
The park was instituted on 6 December 1991 under the national framework law on protected areas, to shield Cilento from building speculation and mass tourism. In 1998 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Greek towns of Paestum and Velia and the Padula Charterhouse. Its first president was the naturalist Vincenzo La Valva, and its headquarters are in Vallo della Lucania.
The territory is known for its original way of life rooted in ancient farming traditions, with olive groves and vineyards stretching across the hillsides. Stone mills and terraced fields still mark the landscape, showing how closely generations of families have worked with the land.
Hiking trails cross the entire territory, linking coastal towns with mountain villages, and most routes are most comfortable during spring and autumn. Lodging can be found in surrounding towns, ranging from simple guesthouses to farm stays offering rooms.
Over 1800 plant species grow within the park boundaries, including the rare Primula palinuri found only at a few coastal spots. Golden eagles and peregrine falcons nest in the higher elevations, while wolves are occasionally spotted in remote valleys.
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