Santo Mercurio Country House has belonged to my family from over 7 generations and it dates back to the end of the eighteenth century. The main house was a large rustic building which also contained the machinery for the production of extra virgin olive oil. This fell into disuse at the beginning of the last century, and before the recent restructuring the building was used as guesthouse for the clients of “Enoteca Osteria Perbacco”, our restaurant which has been open for about 30 years. We have renovated the whole building, including the areas that were once used to produce olive oil, incorporating the original industrial style with the modern demands of comfort and quality in line with our thirty-year family tradition of hospitality. The upper floor of the Country House is inhabited by the owners for the most of the year, while in another building, 10 metres from the house, there is the restaurant with a menu which pays close attention to the local products and traditions including a wine list which offers over 600 bottles, many from this area.

Although I have only recently started as a hotelier, I have worked with my family in the restaurant trade for a number of years. The decision to dedicate myself completely to this activity is an important life choice, and certainly comes with considerable commitments and responsibilities. But the rewards are the quality of life and the human relationships that we create. I’m young and this is my first experience of hotel management but I can count on the excellent support and experience of my family and on the professionalism of our staff. The start-up phase has gone very well and my aim now is to improve quickly the quality of the service we offer and to take full advantage of the vast potential of this area. In addition to the splendid climate there are so many opportunities to explore the culture, gastronomy and natural environment of this marvelous national park.

The setting of the Country House is unique. It is situated along the ancient road which leads to Pisciotta, at about 1 km from the village. It takes its name from the property it overlooks, “Santo Mercurio”, which is made up of several hectares of land that stretch down to the seashore with its traditional dry stone walls and the thousand-year-old olive trees. It is at 187 metres above sea level and at 500 metres from the sea as the crow flies. On the left you can see the lighthouse on the impressive Palinuro promontory, while on the right the point of Elea. The panorama is breathtaking and on particularly clear days it’s possible to see the island of Stromboli on the horizon. Pisciotta is one of the oldest Cilento villages, with historical buildings and an old centre which is well looked after and inhabited all the year round. It’s many narrow lanes and small squares make it a delightful village for a walk or for shopping for the products of the local craftsmen, which include the traditional anchovies “Alici di Menaica”. They are one of the most important and famous specialties from the Cilento area and are a protected product of the Slow Food Movement. You must try them!