Policastro

Policastro, also historically known as Policastro Bussentino, is a coastal locality in southern Italy. It is a frazione of the municipality of Santa Marina in the Province of Salerno, Campania. The settlement sits on the Tyrrhenian Sea along the Cilento coast, near the Gulf of Policastro, a wide inlet named after the locality.

Historically, the area has ancient roots and has passed through various dominions and cultural influences. In the medieval and early modern periods it developed as a small port and fishing community, with religious and defensive structures contributing to its landscape.

Economically, Policastro has traditionally depended on fishing and agriculture, with tourism growing in recent decades as visitors are drawn to its beaches, promenade, and coastal scenery. The surrounding Cilento area is noted for its landscapes and access to natural and archaeological sites.

The locality is commonly associated with Policastro Bussentino, a name still used in regional contexts to refer to the coastal settlement. It forms part of Santa Marina's administrative territory and preserves a maritime character within the Cilento region.

Transport and access are provided by regional road networks; the nearest railway station is in Sapri, linking Policastro to broader transport routes along the Tyrrhenian coast.