Controne

It is a small village set near the Alburni Massif, not far from the Calore river. It is famous for the white bean-growing, a selected legume variety that is a Slow Food Presidium.

Controne beans
It is small pure-white bean. It is cultivated here since hundreds of years. They can be cooked without leaving them to soaking overnight; they also cooks creamy and velvety remaining intact. Cooking times are shorter than other beans. It is a complete and nutritious food and it is the “main character” of the Mediterranean Diet. It is a DOC product (DOC= Denominazione di origine controllata “Controlled designation of origin”).

In summer takes place the famous “Sagra del fagiolo di Controne” – Controne beans Festival, during which you can taste traditional food of Cilento; besides, the wonderful landscape beckons hundreds of people. You can taste several recipes made using Controne beans such as “Fagioli e scarole” (prickly lettuce and beans), “Pasta e fagioli” (Pasta and beans), “Fagili e cotiche” (Beans with pork rind) and many other specialties of Cilento’s tradition. But the best way to taste Controne beans is certainly “frisella” dry homemade bread and beans, dressed with extra virgin olive oil and salt.

Walking in Controne
The church congregation of Saint Mary was built up in 1599. It keeps many wood statues among which those of Saint Joseph, Saint John and Saint Donatus stand out as the quality of work.
Going from Umberto I Square, along San Nicola street (a boundary street to an ancient Benedictine abbey), you will arrive at the entrance of the principal church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas. It is a three naves church: along the side naves are set several niches for statues. In the second niche of the right nave you can admire a wonderful figure of Saint Nicholas, by Giuseppe Picano, of 1806. The Altar is made of white marble and polychrome marbles. The sacristy exit door leads to Umberto I square, where the Town hall is placed. On the right wall of the town hall’s hallway, a niche houses three stone masks: they were parts of two fountains, Fontana dei Mascheroni (Masks’ Fountain) and Fontana Vecchia (Old Fountain).
Before leaving Controne we suggest you to visit Sant’Elia Cave, in località Frasca. Inside the cave has been made a simple altar where is placed the saint’s statue, a work by the stucco artist Capezzolo who worked in the surroundings of Alburni Massif in 1700’s.