Letino

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club

In the heart of the Matese Regional Park, Letino sits on a rocky outcrop in a panoramic position halfway between the lake of the same name and Lake Gallo. The village is named after the famous Lethe, the river of oblivion from Greek and Roman mythology, also mentioned by Dante. As the river sinks underground, it forms a karstic cave (Grotta del Cauto), rich in stalactite and stalagmite formations, which then opens onto a spectacular valley.

Strolling through the narrow streets of the historic centre, you discover stone houses, various palatial buildings and the parish church of St John the Baptist, with its stone façade and bell tower. The ascent ends at 1,200 metres where a castle was erected, dating from the Longobard period, later enlarged by the Normans who transformed it into the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Castello, a symbolic site particularly loved by the locals, who on the third Sunday in September climb up there to take part in the most important religious festival of the year. On this and other occasions, you can see the traditional women's costume, worn by everyone from little girls to old women, a symbol of belonging to a long history.

Appetites are satisfied with Letino potatoes, a mountain variety cultivated since the early 1800s, and with Matese cheeses, such as pecorino, sheep's milk ricotta, scamorza and caciocavallo.