Rediscovering an Ancient Village

A stone village that lights up for three evenings

Rediscovering an Ancient Village is the festival that brings life back to the alleys of Eremiti every summer, a small hamlet in the Municipality of Futani, in the province of Salerno, in the heart of the Cilento hinterland. For three evenings, the stone houses, arches, stairways, and squares of the historic center become a sprawling stage: there is no single performance venue, but rather a route to be explored slowly, following the roving music, the aroma of the kitchens, and the lights glowing on the doorways.

The event is promoted by the Municipality of Futani together with the local Pro Loco and the ArcheoTrekking association, with a clear goal: to showcase the village, its biodiversity, and the community's traditions. It is a free-entry event, designed both for those who live here all year round and for visitors reaching this corner of Campania during the hottest days of summer.

The "Marinaio Francesco Chirico" Open-Air Museum

The cultural heart of the festival is the walk along the Open-Air Museum dedicated to the sailor Francesco Chirico, set up in the historic center of Eremiti. Seven panels tell the story of a young sailor aboard the Regia Nave Fiume, who entrusted a message in a bottle to the sea, destined for his mother: the bottle traveled the Mediterranean for eleven years before being found in 1952 near Cagliari and finally reaching its destination. Reproductions of letters and drawings, audio podcasts, and video clips accessible via QR code accompany the visitor along the path, which can be explored independently or, during the festival, with a guide.

Workshops, markets, and walks

The program is not just for watching: it invites participation. Each edition features a variety of activities, almost always free and with limited spots, taking place at sunset when the temperature becomes pleasant.

• Craft and creative workshops — from natural fabric dyeing to hands-on activities for children, with mandatory booking.
• Guided walks — short itineraries through the alleys and along the open-air museum, with readings and stories about the village's history.
• Craft markets — stalls featuring local producers and artisans set up along the route.
• Roving music and evening shows — groups moving from alley to alley and a final concert in the village square.

The flavors of Cilento

Every evening, from 8:00 PM, the food stalls managed by volunteers open: dishes prepared according to traditional Cilento recipes, using local products and portions designed to be enjoyed outdoors, sitting on the steps or at tables arranged in the small squares. The Futani area is also known for its Moscato wine and chestnuts, celebrated in other events on the municipal calendar, and the Mediterranean diet of the Cilento remains the constant reference for home cooking.

A community project

Like many villages in the Salerno hinterland, Eremiti has experienced depopulation: the festival was born as a collective response, a way to bring people and attention back to a place that risked falling into silence. The activities are free, the parking is served by a free shuttle that avoids clogging the narrow village streets, and the organization is largely entrusted to the volunteers of the Pro Loco. This, even more than the program, is the aspect that strikes those arriving for the first time.

Around Eremiti

The village is located along the provincial road that leads from Futani towards San Mauro La Bruca, just past the town of Castinatelli, where the Abbey of Santa Cecilia stands, hosting concerts and cultural events throughout the summer. We are in the territory of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, a short distance from the coast: those spending their holidays on the Cilento coast can head up into the hills for the evening and return to the sea the next day. It is a simple way to get to know the other side of the Cilento, that of stone villages, chestnut woods, and homemade festivals.