Coastal caves of Marina di Camerota
As for the Caves of Palinuro, it is difficult to find the right words to describe the beauty of the Caves of Marina di Camerota.
As in Palinuro, in order to protect the environment only authorized boats can lead to the caves, therefore booking is mandatory. The alternative to the route by sea, which allows you to observe the coves and caves from above, is the trekking Path of Infreschi.
From the port, after Punta dello Zancale, a scenario opens up with a sequence of overhanging rocks that close the bays: their water colour changes from the most intense emerald green to the deepest blue. These rocks hide suggestive caves: here begins the Area Protected Marina of the Costa degli Infreschi and Masseta, one of the most precious jewels not only for Cilento.
To the south, Cala Fortuna is the first. For fishermen who ventured into the open sea, before returning to the port, this was the last place of high waters where they could drop their nets and try the “luck” of the last catch. That’s why it is still called Cala Fortuna today: in Italian, Fortuna means luck. And it is very common to see huge schools of fish swimming in these waters.
Between its sheer walls, it appears the Grotta degli Innamorati (the Lovers' Cave), so called because it has always been a romantic alcove for lovers.
Then the Blue Grotto, smaller than the one in Palinuro but equally breathtaking.
Cala Monte di Luna (Moon’s Mount Bay) is a suggestion right from the name. Very high white rocks that seem cut and chiselled are reflected in a transparent sea, where two high rocks emerge, called by the fishermen “Faraglioni of Marina”. Also in this cove there is a cave, the Grotto of Monte di Luna.
And then the Cathedral Grotto, the Grotta delle Noglie, the Bull Grotto.
Beyond the great beauty, all these caves have in common that they have given exceptional finds and evidence of the prehistoric period: from Homo erectus to Homo Sapiens, these caves are places where our prehistoric ancestors lived and settled.
The thread of history has never broken, and the last cave to the south of Marina di Camerota, before Masseta and the territory of the Municipality of San Giovanni a Piro, is the splendid Tonnara degli Infreschi.
This prehistoric cave is located in the marvellous Baia degli Infreschi (Infreschi Bay), among the largest and most beautiful natural harbours.
In Roman times, the caves of this bay where landing and navigation was so easy were used as storage warehouses for food: the “fresh” inside the caves ensured their perfect conservation. The name “Infreschi” derives from this.
The Romans used one of these caves for the processing of tuna, abundant then as now in these waters: the cave is precisely the Tonnara (=tuna fishery), in Porto Infreschi.
In this corner of paradise, overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches on the coast, Italy's most beautiful beach in 2014, among the voices of bathers, an ancient history is hidden, ready to reveal itself to anyone with good ears to listen to it.
Check availability