MORIGERATI

Morigerati is situated in the Gulf of Policastro hinterland on the river Bussento, at about 260 metres above sea level. The town is located on a cliff overlooking the WWF oasis which is located in a deep gorge where the Bussento river re-emerges from underground.
According to local legend, the town stands on the site of an ancient, fortified village founded by a people known as the Italica dei Morgeti. The presence of Roman ruins in a nearby area known as RUMANURU, indicates that in later times the village became a Roman settlement.
The present town appeared during the 8th century when a large group of Greek monks, fleeing from persecution by the iconoclasts, arrived there. These monks brought with them the Sacred Icon of St Demetrius, which can now be seen in the 17th century shrine of the same name.
The town was fortified during the period of Angiona domination – in particular during the course of the Vespro Wars (1282 – 1302) against the Aragonese. The CASTELLO BARONALE, which was built in this period, became the home over the various gentry that governed the place during the following years.
In the 14th century Morigerati, like most other towns and villages in the area, became the property of the Counts Sanseverino.
Today, the old part of this pretty little town offers the visitor an interesting jumble of narrow, cobblestone streets and small courtyards – many of which are embellished by splendidly decorated portals. Morigerati also boasts a fine museum, il Museo della Civiltà Contadina, which documents the customs and costumes of the Cilento region over the centuries.