The town is situated at the south-eastern slopes of Alburni mount
at around 650 m above the sea-level. There are many beech woods
and rivers that make the landscape actually beautiful. A very picturesque
place is 
Risorgenza
dell’Auso: the waters of the Auso coming
from Auso cave form a small lake (that was used in the past for
a power station) and create a fall 8 m high. The waters go then
towards the valley passing under a nice small stone bridge near
the remains of a mill. There is also a well equipped area.
San Michele Arcangelo cave is very interesting: at the entrance
there is a simple portal supported by a lion and a lioness. Inside
the cave there is the tomb of Francesco Caracciolo, a pit and a
Gothic shrine. In the deepest part of the cave there is a chapel,
dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. On the altar there is a
wood frame with XVII century painting and the marble statue portraying
Saint Michael the Archangel.
The “Vitello Montano” and olive oil festival is very
interesting (September).
HISTORY
The name Sant’Angelo a Fasanella comes from Fasanella, an
ancient town destroyed by Federico II di Svevia and Sant’Angelo
hamlet. Fasanella comes from “Phasis”, an ancient Greek
town and a river that is between Minor Asia and Colchide. In 1246 the town was destroyed by Federico II to punish Pandolfo Fasanella that obtained his lands back thanks to Carlo I d'Angiò.
The town was a feud of San Severino, Capece-Galeota, Giovine and Caracciolo families.
Sant’Angelo took part to the Risorgimento, it was the first town in the province of Salerno to fight for independence.
FOLKLORE AND EVENTS
• Saint Michael the Archangel, the Patron, Feast (8th May)
• Our Lady of Piety Feast (8th September)
• Saint Lucy Feast (11th July)
• “Vitello Montano” and olive oil festival (September)
MONUMENTS AND NATURAL BEAUTIES
• The warrior of Costa Palomba, a rocky sculpture of IV
century b.C. portraying an ancient warrior called “Antece"”,
that means ancient or immobile. During the day, thanks to the light,
the statue seems to be surrounded by a magic atmosphere • San Michele Arcangelo cave is very interesting: at the entrance there is a simple portal supported by a lion and a lioness. Inside the cave there is the tomb of Francesco Caracciolo, a pit and a Gothic shrine. In the deepest part of the cave there is a chapel, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. On the altar there is a wood frame with XVII century painting. Inside the cave there are XIV century frescoes and sculptures. At the bottom of the cave there is a rich XVII century altar built by Abbot Fabio Caracciolo. On this altar there is the marble statue portraying Saint Michael the Archangel
• Frà Gentile cave
• Grava del Fumo, an interesting carstic phenomenon
• Beech woods in Terra Forte, Vallone dei Lupi and Coste della Pinna
• Risorgenza della Frestola, it is created when it rains a lot. It is dominated by a small Roman bridge
• Risorgenza dell’Auso: the waters of the Auso coming from Auso cave form a small lake (that was used in the past for a power station) and create a fall 8 m high. The waters go then towards the valley passing under a nice small stone bridge near the remains of a mill. There is also a well equipped area
• An ancient castle and San Pietro Church ruins
• Annunziata Church
• Nome di Dio Church
• Former Monastery of Carmelitane Scalze. In the church there is a statue portraying Saint Therese of 1757
• Madonna della Montagna Church
• Madonna delle Pinne Church
• San Francesco Church
• Santa Maria Maggiore Church, with a Renaissance portal and wood door, made in 1518 by Francesco da Sicignano. The sculpture portraying Saint Michael the Archangel is very interesting.
Testi: Stefania Maffeo
