MARINA DI CAMEROTA

Marina di Camerota was once a fishermen town and expanded in the 19th century when more and more inhabitants settled down in the surrounding area. It stretches along a part of the coast rich in olive tree dating back from the Saracen era and it is set among two small hills, each with a tower on its top. The town centre is the stone-paved church square. On the south-east side you can find a castle, once belonging to the Marquis. A few people state that the Laiella Tower is the only original art masterpiece included in the current "castle" and that it looked like a pitch tile roofed house when it was first built at the beginning of 20th century. This statement would contradict the theory telling that the tower actually was a castle. "Grotte della Cala, Sepolcrale, Della Serratura" are all caves located not far away from Marina di Camerota residential area. They are viewed as one of the most important archaeological excavations in Southern Italy. Several finds were discovered in those caves and supposed to date back to the early and medium Palaeolithic period. Grotta Azzurra or Cala Fortuna - The "blue cave" is one of the most beautiful caves existing in Camerota area. It was named after a particular light: sun rays deeply penetrate into the earth, so that the cave ground gets astonishingly blue. Grotta del Pozzallo - Pozzallo cave has an opening on the West side of Cala Bianca Bay and is characterised by an awesome pillar splitting the cave entrance into two parts. Grotta del Noglio - Located to the West of Infreschi Port at 2 m above sea level, Noglio Cave has a very large opening and is rich in decorations. Several finds were discovered in that caves and dated back to the Bronze Age. Infreschi. This area is on the stretch of land included between Marina di Camerota and S.Giovanni a Piro along the coast. The existing vegetation is mainly made up of olive trees, typical Mediterranean bushes, locust trees, widespread oak trees, holm-oaks, and grass in general. In the forests you can find birds, such as blue rock thrushes, jays, song thrushes, blackbirds, woodcocks, quails, magpies, peregrine falcon, owls, and little owls, and mammals, such as foxes, hares, wild boars, and badgers. If you approach the Infreschi Port, a wonderful unique natural site characterized by a wild well-preserved environment. In the middle of the bay there a crack in the limestone rocks. This is the so-called Grotta degli Infreschi named after its inner cold temperature due to the existing water spring. The cave ground is wonderful.