Free walking tours in Padula and what to see

Must-sees

Padula is a town in the Vallo di Diano, in the south of the province of Salerno, best known for the Certosa di San Lorenzo, a World Heritage Site since 1998 together with the Cilento park. Building began in 1306 on the initiative of Tommaso Sanseverino, and it is the largest monastic complex in southern Italy. Its great cloister, surrounded by the monks' cells, covers some 15,000 square metres and has two floors linked by an elliptical double staircase.

Inside the Certosa, don't miss the stone spiral staircase up to the library, the church, the kitchen and the smaller cloisters with their fountains. The complex also has an archaeological museum with finds from the area. Afterwards, go up to Padula's old town, terraced on the hillside, with churches and views over the valley. There you will find the house museum of Joe Petrosino, the New York policeman born in the town.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free tours in Padula. The usual way to see the Certosa is on your own with a ticket, or on a private guided visit, which helps you understand the monks' life and how the complex was organised, as the route is long and it is easy to miss details. The old town is easy to explore on your own. To see more of the valley, some people combine the visit with the Pertosa-Auletta caves or Teggiano.

How long to spend

The Certosa needs two to three hours if you want to see it at a relaxed pace, without rushing through the cloisters. Add an hour or two for the town and the Petrosino house. With a full day you can do it all without hurrying. If you stay two days, visit Teggiano, a medieval hilltop town a few kilometres away, and the Pertosa-Auletta caves, crossed by an underground river.

Where to stay

You can stay in Padula's old town, with guesthouses and small places in stone buildings, or in the lower part near the Certosa, more practical if you travel by car. The Vallo di Diano has plenty of agriturismi and rural houses, a good option for exploring the area. If you cannot find a room, Sala Consilina and Teggiano, very close, have more choice.