San Mango Cilento

The marvellous convent of San Mango dates back to 994, when an Italo-Greek settlement founded the lovely homonym hamlet that extended itself along the Northern foot of Mount Stella. The original structure of the village has preserved its beauty throughout the centuries, and even the modern building works have kept the harmonious balance with the splendid surrounding landscape.

You'll fully enjoy the perfect environmental integrity of the "village of fresh springs", according to a recent definition. The ancient fountain "Cannavata", fed by a perennial spring, welcomes all visitors coming to San Mango from Mercato, with the crafty and good-natured smile of the marble mascaron, familiarly known as "U Moccio"

The main piazza holds a large steps hemicycle that opens like a warm hug, revealing, with plastic efficacy, a characteristic bearing of the town and its people: a simple hearty welcome.

It's not surprise that San Mango's fame is due also to the festivities annually celebrated: first of all, on September the 4th, in honour of the Co-Patron Saint St Rosalia da Palermo. In this occasion the village gets alive thanks to the famous artists exhibiting there: recently has been posed again a pretty singing competition that every year thrills hundreds of people.

Something not to be missed is the "Opera Sacra": ancient theatrical text about the biography of the Saint Patron in San Mango, represented with passion and involvement by the young locals. The parish Church of St Maria degli Eremiti is dated back to the first twenty years 1900 and important restoration works are running in order to bring back to life this stunning oeuvre.

The real glory of the town is the ligneous statue of the Virgin, authentic masterpiece of Neapolitan School of 1600, recently restored and brought back to the ancient splendour.