7. February 2025

Guests at Agriturismo Il Cannito

Along the west coast of Italy in Campania I drive into the Cilento to the hills of Capaccio. A sign shows the way to my next accommodation.Il Cannito” – a long winding path leads to the driveway. After passing through the gate, it is another few minutes' drive uphill along a narrow path. But the journey is worth it, because in the middle of beautiful nature lies an agriturismo of a special kind.

Spend the night in ancient stone houses

On a 37 hectare estate, there is a charming guest house with two restored, antique stone houses - surrounded by large trees, wild shrubs and the view of the distant Mediterranean; otherwise nothing, no neighbors or other holiday homes, just the peace of nature. The design of Il Cannito was created by the esteemed artist Pietro Lista inspired and shows a deep connection to nature. The house exudes a unique atmosphere shaped by its natural surroundings. Despite its small and cozy size, the guest house offers all the comfort and service you need to feel at home.

The leitmotif is love

The story of the host family Gorga moved me very much. The three siblings took over the property after the death of their father, who bought it a few decades earlier and had many plans for it. The children's lives changed suddenly. They decided to invest in this place together with their talents and combined forces. A magical place has emerged, a true oasis. Here, past and present merge harmoniously. Their guiding principle is love. Love for family, the Cilento, old traditions, historic walls and treasures of the past, which are combined with the here and now, such as the harvest of fresh food and attention to detail. And that is exactly what I feel here in every conversation.

The hostess is Antonella Gorga. She takes care of the bookings and looks after the guests. The playing field of Antonella's twin brother, Nicola, and older sister Santa are the hallowed halls of the kitchen. Nicola is the head chef of Il Cannito. With heart and soul. He speaks so enthusiastically about every ingredient that ends up in his dishes. He creates new menus for the guests every day and takes individual preferences into account. For me there was a vegetarian menu once and fresh fish on the second evening, more on that later. Santa bakes cakes, prepares desserts and takes care of the service. Antonella also runs her own Fashion label as a movement for sustainability. It combines modern design and sustainable materials and has resulted in swimsuits, for example, but also numerous other fashion items such as trousers and sweaters with artistic motifs.

Summer rain and my first hours

When I arrive, it is raining at sunset. Rain in Italy? Yes, that was exactly my first thought. But the rain was so warm and calming that it ultimately suited the slow arrival of the first evening wonderfully. I was allowed to sit down at my table in the dining room, and groups of guests were also sitting at two other tables. Everyone enjoyed a 3-course meal. I had a vegetarian meal consisting of homemade potato gnocchi with zucchini, pumpkin blossoms and fresh sheep and goat cacioricotta cheese. The main course was eggplant parmigiana with fresh bufala mozzarella and fresh mixed green salad from the garden. The crowning glory was the dessert, a tart with delicate lemon cream and fresh strawberries. There was also a wine accompaniment from surrounding wineries. A truly wonderful first evening.

Excursions in Cilento

I spend the night in one of the four guest rooms: Luna. The next morning, a delicious breakfast awaits me on the terrace, the birds are chirping, the figs are sweet. I want to explore the southern corner of Italy because, as Antonella tells me, it contains various treasures - natural, archaeological and artistic.

All-natural: Various hiking and cycling tours can be undertaken from the accommodation. The Cilento National Park is definitely worth a visit, as it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is characterized by its impressive natural diversity, unspoilt coastal landscapes and picturesque hills. The park is home to numerous historical sites, including ancient Greek ruins, as well as a rich flora and fauna, making it a paradise for nature lovers and hikers.
Archaeological: The archaeological site of Paestum: The ruins and Greek temple complex was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. It is famous for its well-preserved temples dating from the 6th century BC, including the imposing Temple of Hera. The site offers a fascinating insight into Greek colonization and architecture in Italy.

Just 200 metres from the archaeological site of Paestum, the Gorgo family also manages an organic garden and an impressive food forest with art installations. Their aim is to contribute to biodiversity and grow natural food. Guests will soon be able to visit this place.
Artistic: The Museum MMMAC – Museo dei Materiali Minimi d'Arte Contemporanea – in Paestum is a unique museum dedicated to contemporary art, with a particular focus on the minimalist art movement. The museum's collection includes works that experiment with reduced materials and forms, challenging the limits of art production. Through its innovative presentation and dialogue between space and art objects, the MMMAC invites you to rethink the meaning of "minimal" art materials and techniques.

I arrive at Il Cannito again at dusk and enjoy the last rays of sun by the pool with a view of the vast nature. Here, body and mind can recharge their batteries. After I have got ready for the evening, an unforgettable evening awaits me: all the other guests have left and Nicola creates a special menu for me, which I can enjoy on the terrace at sunset. I am very grateful and allow myself to enjoy this special culinary delight. Nicola serves the following three extra delicious courses:

Spaghetti with red tuna bottarga from Cilento, cooked with shallots, parsley and lemon.
Dolphinfish from Cilento cooked with fresh cherry tomatoes, capers from Pantelleria, olives from Taggiasca and basil, stuffed pumpkin flowers in tempura and fried scapece zucchini.
Crumble of fresh figs from Cilento and 80% Italian dark chocolate.

Then I fall into bed and dream of life in southern Italy. The next morning I spend the last few hours under the large oak tree on the terrace, which provides generous shade. And then, unfortunately, it's time to say goodbye to this special place and the people who live there, with the hope that I'll be able to return someday!