About Ascea

A view from Ascea Paese

Ascea is located on the west coast of southern Italy, approx. 80 km south of Salerno and 140 km south of Napoli (Naples). Paestum and Pompeii are easily accessible by train. Ascea combines the best that the south of Italy has to offer - great weather, good food, mountains, sea and tranquillity, while also being in the heart of one of the most culturally and historically rich areas in the world. Ascea is the name of the modern town, but in the past it was the ancient Greek colony Elea, founded in the 6th century B.C. Elea was the home of the pre-Socratic philosophers Parmenides and Zeno. Later, in Roman times, the town was known as Velia. The excavations at Elea/Velia are open to visitors year-round. Ascea also includes Ascea Marina, which has a modern theatre and concert hall, as well as two open-air amphitheatres.

Ascea Paese (where the Wassard Elea residences are situated) is located at an altitude of approx. 230 meters with a view of the sea and olive groves. There is an old part with narrow streets and 17th century houses. There are grocery stores, butcher shops, a fishmonger, a greengrocer, a clothing and footwear store, a hardware store, a kiosk, tobacconists, florists, a drugstore, and cafés which sell light meals as well as drinks.

Ascea Marina has a beach, many shops, including a bookstore, and is a favourite vacation spot in July and August. Elea/Velia is situated in Ascea municipality on the neighbouring hilltop. The Cilento park (Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano) is on the World Heritage List for its historical and cultural significance.

A local orange tree

Some places of interest in the Cilento
Elea (Roman name: Velia), excavated Greek city state founded in the 6th century B.C. Two small museum buildings on the grounds.

Paestum, excavated Greek city state, founded about 600 B.C. Originally called Poseidonia by the Greeks. Archaological Museum.

Vatolla, Fondazione Giambattista Vico, Palazzo Vargo, where Vico wrote The New Science, first published in 1725. Museo Vichiano and Biblioteca Vichiana.

Pinacoteca Comunale "Pietro Volpe", Sessa Cilento. Contemporary Italian art. Pinacoteca established in 2007.

Paestum