On Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the BMT held at the Mostra d’Oltremare in Naples, the Marcellianum project, the Path of Western Lucania. From the Baptistery to the Sanctuaries of Vallo di Diano, was presented.

The project was presented by Don Giuseppe Radesca, Vicar General of the Diocese of Teggiano-Policastro and Parish Priest of Padula. The meeting was attended by Prof. Felice Casucci, Councilor for Tourism, who officially announced that our project will receive the support of the Campania Region.

The Marcellianum trail identifies 17 circular itineraries located in the various localities and hamlets of what was once the Marcellianum, a pagus that in late antiquity arose in the territory of the Roman city of Cosilinum, in the Vallo di Diano, along the Via Popilia. The name refers to Pope Marcellus I who, at the beginning of the 4th century, was the first evangelizer of the area and had established the diocese.

The project aims to redevelop the ancient hill and mountain routes that connect the extraordinary historical riches and those linked to religious worship – Sanctuaries and Convents – present in the Vallo di Diano.

Marcellianum: the stages

The starting point of the route is the Paleo-Christian Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte, one of the oldest Christian baptisteries in the entire West. The uniqueness of this extraordinary place is represented by the fact that the baptismal font, rather than being filled artificially, received water naturally because it was built on a perennial spring, allowing baptism by immersion. This makes the Paleo-Christian Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte unique in the world of Christianity.

01 Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte, Padula
02 Sanctuary of San Michele, Sala Consilina
03 Sanctuary of the Madonna di Sito Alto, Sala Consilina
04 Sanctuary of the Madonna del Castello, Sala Consilina
05 Sanctuary of the Madonna della Colomba, Atena Lucana
06 Convent of Sant’Antonio, Polla
07 Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte Carmelo, Sant’Arsenio
08 Sanctuary of the Crucifix, San Pietro al Tanagro
09 Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, Teggiano
10 Sanctuary of Sant’Anna, Monte San Giacomo
11 Sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine, Sassano
12 Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Nevi, Sanza
13 Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte Carmelo, Buonabitacolo
14 Sanctuary of the Madonna della Consolazione, Casalbuono
15 Ex-Cappuccini Convent, Montesano
16 Church of the Madonna di Loreto, Arenabianca
17 Hermitage of San Michele alle Grottelle, Padula

The Marcellianum project is now officially taking its first steps. Follow us to receive updates and follow its development with us.