This is a walk we like particularly and which links Pisciotta to its small Marina. It’s a steep walk among the olive trees of Pisciotta, ancient and impressive, down to the crystal clear sea of "Acquabianca". For those living up in the village it’s a nice walk down to the beaches. Going back is a little bit harder, and so you can see often people waiting with their beach umbrellas and chairs at the bus stop to return to the village. Francesco D’Amato tells us about his experiences doing trekking.
The olive trees of the "Chiusa" (city gate)
Walking among the olive groves of the "Chiusa" is a way to even more appreciate the characteristics this village offers: The sea, the green leaves of the olive trees, the breathtaking landscape and the particular architectonic structures.
Starting from the piazza of Pisciotta the alleys gently descend, sometimes they are really narrow, other times there are panoramic viewpoints beyond the sea. Arriving at the slopes of the village, admire the splendid and impressive Mansion Ciaccio and the remains of a Franciscan convent dating back to 1500. There is the belfry of the convent from where it is possible to admire once again the splendid view which once was the background for the monks’ prayers, but from where often enough arrived the raids of the Saracens. Now we are ready to walk down to the sea.
The small paved street called "chiusa" leads into the centuries old olive groves with their archlike foliage above our heads offering refreshing shadow and splendid light games. To better describe the scenery, we again quote the poet Ungaretti who observing Pisciotta from the seaside, divided it into three sections, "houses built with big arches, olive trees spread like sheep in droves, and the houses of the fishermen, so white seeming to be turned by the air in peristyles". The wide arcades characterize the numerous noble mansions of the medieval village from where we started, the olive tree groves are the outline of the descent to the sea, and the fishermen’s houses represent the marina towards we are directed.
Walking along a creek bed we now arrive at the first houses of Marina di Pisciotta. After passing through alleys and narrows, finally we are at the seafront. The view is breathtaking and it is nearly impossible to embrace entirely in a glance the coast from Cape Palinuro to the tower called "della Punta", near the distant village of Acciaroli. This is the Velino Gulf , theatre of the maritime activities of the ancient Focei, the place of Cicerone’s, Brutus’, and Augustus’ holidays as well as the scenery of the great and mysterious philosopher Parmenide. Calming down our initial emphasis, we walk along the shore and arrive at the "Acquabianca" beach, and the name explains it "acquabianca" (white waters), clean water. This beach is made of smooth pebbles, called in the local dialect "agliaredde", and the beaches of the Cilento alternate pebbles with golden sand.
The coastal tower is our turning point. It’s the remains of a 16th century fortification and they are to be found along all the coastline and were used against the raids of the Saracens who devastated this territory. The water flowing down from a stream invites us for a rest not because we feel tired but because we fully want to enjoy these enchanting moments. Lo zampillo d'acqua dolce che scorgiamo ai suoi piedi ci suggerisce una pausa dettata non dalla stanchezza ma dalla voglia di godere appieno di quest'incanto. The warm weather invites us for a healthy bath in the calm sea, and now all senses feel really satisfied. There is time enough for the return, and so we still stay here in this heaven on earth.