In the heart of the Picentini Mountains, in the province of Salerno, in the small and enchanting village of Castiglione del Genovesi, Antonio Genovesi was born in 1713. He was destined to become a key figure in the Age of Enlightenment in Italy. His life, works and cultural impact are a heritage that continues to shine through in the culture and identity of this hamlet.

Youth and Education

Antonio Genovesi, born into a family from Castiglione del Genovesi, showed a considerable thirst for knowledge from a young age. After completing his studies in theology and philosophy, he began a brilliant academic career, becoming one of the first professors of economics in Italy. His progressive outlook and humanistic approach to philosophy and economics made him a central figure of the Neapolitan Enlightenment.

Works and Thought

Genovesi was a prolific writer, and his works ranged from philosophy to politics, from economics to ethics. Among his most influential works, "Lezioni di commercio o sia di economia civile" marked a turning point in economic thought, emphasising the importance of social welfare and morality in economics. This approach not only influenced his contemporaries, but also anticipated many of the ideas that would become central in later centuries.

Impact on the Enlightenment and Legacy

Genovesi was not just a theorist; he firmly believed in the practical application of his ideas. His influence on the Italian Enlightenment was profound, promoting a way of thinking that valued reason, education and social progress. His ideas helped shape an era of great change and were fundamental to the cultural and intellectual development of his time.

The bond with Castiglione del Genovesi

Despite his fame and success, Genovesi always remained deeply attached to his home village, Castiglione del Genovesi. His innovative spirit and dedication to social and cultural improvement continue to inspire the community. Today, the house where Genovesi was born is a museum dedicated to his life and work, a place where visitors and scholars can immerse themselves in the legacy of this great thinker.

An Enduring Legacy

The life and works of Antonio Genovesi are not only an important chapter in Italian history; they are a shining example of how ideas can transcend time and space, influencing future generations. His connection with Castiglione del Genovesi is a vivid reminder of how a small village can be the cradle of revolutionary thoughts, and how these in turn can enrich and define the identity of a place. Genovesi is not only a son of Castiglione; he is a heritage that the village continues to value, a beacon of wisdom that still illuminates the path to progress and cultural enlightenment.

Borgo Genovesi represents the rebirth of Castiglione del Genovesi, an hamlet located in the heart of the Picentini Mountains in the province of Salerno. Guided by the vision of Rosa Genovese, owner and technical director of the Tour Operator Fortravel by Requadra, and Annalisa Accetta, cultural promoter and tour guide, the project is being developed with the invaluable support of Andrea Succi, Destination Temporary Manager and creator of the GMT™ (Territorial Marketing Group) format. This project is not just a tourism experience, but a vibrant ecosystem that interweaves hospitality, culture, sustainability and innovation, with a focus on the local community and its new inhabitants.

Borgo Genovesi is a place to be told, to be inhabited, to be built together.

Authentic Experiences and Smart Working

Borgo Genovesi offers unique and authentic experiences, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the village life as true temporary citizens, in an environment rich in history, culture and natural beauty. In addition, the project proposes innovative solutions for those wishing to combine smart working and quality of life, offering a serene and stimulating context, close to nature and within walking distance of the city of Salerno.

In addition to enhancing Castiglione del Genovesi, the project also invites visitors to discover and visit the entire Picentini Mountains area in synergy with the Ecomuseum of the Picentini Mountains - Lands of Happiness, offering a wide range of experiences including nature excursions, visits to wine cellars and oil mills, and the discovery of local culinary and craft traditions. Visitors can also enjoy the attractions of the nearby city of Salerno, with its history, art and vibrant cultural life, and the picturesque village of Vietri sul Mare, famous for its ceramics.
This comprehensive tourist offer is designed to satisfy a variety of interests, from those seeking tranquillity and nature to those in search of culture and authentic flavours.

Hospitable Community and Sustainability

The GMT™ Borgo Genovesi is an example of sustainable and integrated tourism, where visitors and the local community meet and grow together. Developed in synergy with the RARECA association, which takes care of the tourist promotion and reception activities, Borgo Genovesi promotes a model of sustainable tourism and development, fostering the repopulation and revitalisation of the hamlet, with a special focus on young people. Today, the project is further concretised with the commitment of RARECA, which since 2022 has launched the project for the regeneration and enhancement of Castiglione del Genovesi, defining the common vision and manifest for a community project, accessible at:  https://borgogenovesi.rareca.eu/

Neopopulation:  New Inhabitants, Returners and Restanza
"A country is made by its people and then by its places"

- Manifest

The manifest emphasises the importance of creating a "place of sense" that reconnects values and emotions, enabling everyone to live as a new inhabitant or temporary citizen. The project emphasises social and urban regeneration towards public happiness, transforming every disused space into a place of social, intellectual and educational use, thus promoting greater social cohesion and a new local economy.

The country is everything. It is community, territory, home...the place to return to or to stay, not just the place to leave. 

- Common Vision

A vision, therefore, that is realised through entrepreneurial and commercial initiatives, with a strong focus on hospitality, smart working and root tourism, to attract both returners and new visitors and residents. Borgo Genovesi is committed to revitalising vacant and unused houses, creating widespread hospitality that is integrated into the area's culture and community.

An invitation to be part of Borgo Genovesi 

Borgo Genovesi warmly welcomes anyone interested in immersing themselves, living fully and actively contributing to this extraordinary project. Citizens, visitors, remote workers and potential new residents are encouraged to become active players, helping to define the future of Castiglione del Genovesi. Through the new website www.borgogenovesi.it, we offer the opportunity to discover and get to know the town, starting with the "Heart Map", to join the Territorial Marketing Group, participating in the regeneration of the real estate and to contribute to the development of a tourist offer that extends far beyond the borders of Antonio Genovesi's birthplace. Indeed, the project, inspired by Genovesi's teachings, aims to focus on territorial development based on relationships, enhancing places and communities in a fabric of shared and authentic experiences.

The vision of Borgo Genovesi is not only to revitalise an individual hamlet, but to create a deeper bond between the area and those who live there, both temporarily and in the long term, emphasising the importance of human relations and the connection with the cultural and natural heritage.