Agropoli at Christmas time, for adults and children

The name of some localities inevitably remains associated with what everyone knows. Agropoli is a delightful coastal city that rises in the geographical area of Cilento, south of the Gulf of Salerno, a few kilometres from Paestum and Castellabate. For these reasons, this place becomes famous during the bathing season in summer, to be almost forgotten in winter. But let me tell you a little piece of Agropoli at Christmas time, for adults and children, which has nothing to envy to its summer popularity.

Santa’s House in Agropoli

For some years, during the entire Christmas period (from the beginning of December until after the Epiphany), Agropoli has been transformed into a Christmas Village. There are many activities suitable for children and adults that take place throughout the historic centre. For example, you can browse through the stands of the Christmas markets and buy handicrafts or local gastronomy, have fun on the ecological ice skating rink or visit the Santa Claus House in the courtyard of the  Angevin Aragonese Castle of Agropoli, in the highest part of the city.

Inside the Santa Claus House, children can participate in workshops, write a letter to Santa Claus in the Post Office, cross the North Pole, the Clock Room and the Toy Factory, and in the end, they will meet Santa Claus in his fairy tale room.

The magic of Christmas will pass through the Scaloni Antichi, enter through the Byzantine Gate, involve the alleys and squares of the village, and surround the Angevin Aragonese Castle. The whole Christmas village is designed with an ecological footprint, all the structures are made of wood and are powered by photovoltaic panels.

Visiting the House of Santa Claus in Agropoli is a unique and unrepeatable experience. At the entrance, two cute dancing elves will guide the children and their families into the Enchanted world of Christmas. The atmosphere is full of lights, colours and sounds to instil joy and serenity.

After visiting the whole house, it will finally be time to enter the Throne Room to meet Santa Claus live and print a photo of the meeting in the Room of Memories. The Santa Claus inside the house is recognized as the official Santa Claus of Italy.

Santa Claus Village in Agropoli is the perfect place to spend an afternoon full of a heart-warming Christmas atmosphere…

And for the parents…

With the opportunity to accompany children to the Christmas village, even adults can take advantage of a beautiful winter day to visit Agropoli, away from the summer crowds. Naturally, some of the places to visit are shared, as they are also included in the Christmas village... but keep your children quiet with some sweets or the promise of a pizza at the end of the day, and they will certainly get involved in visiting this characteristic place.

The visit starts from the historical centre, the oldest and highest part of this medieval city, which can be reached by taking the spectacular Salita degli Scaloni, one of the few examples of stepped climbing, and passing under the monumental portal from the 1600s.

Just past the portal, on the left, is the Church of the Madonna of Constantinople, patroness of fishermen.

Legend has it that the Saracens, during one of their attacks, tried to steal the statue of the Madonna but failed because it was hidden by the population. However, years later, the statue was found in the sea, and a church was built dedicated to the Madonna of Constantinople.

The Angevin Aragonese Castle of Agropoli

The Angevin Aragonese Castle of Agropoli is located, as already mentioned, in the upper part of the old city and is, in fact, the symbol of the city. Many historical figures were linked to this place, including the writer Marguerite Yourcenar who set her story "Anna, Soror" here and the poet Giuseppe Ungaretti, who, after a trip to Cilento in the 1930s, gave a beautiful description in his book "Mezzogiorno".

The small port of Agropoli

Before leaving the castle, do not forget to look out and enjoy the beautiful panorama that can be enjoyed from here, overlooking the bay and the marina. Used since ancient times as a natural landing place, meeting place and base for local sailors, it has become an important tourist port since the 1960s.

The Waterfront

The seafront is located in the lower part of the town and does not offer the beautiful architecture of the ancient village, but you can stop here for an aperitif based on typical products or for a pizza, with the last walk and the last show of the day, when the lights are reflected in the sea. And, you and your children will return home with the magic of Christmas in your eyes, for having experienced Agropoli at Christmas time, for adults and children.