In ancient times it was called
Sinus Laus, from the polis of
Magna Grecia Laos, located, however, in Santa Maria al Cedro, beyond the Gulf of Policastro. Today the gulf takes its name from the town of
Policastro Bussentino (now part of the municipality of
Santa Marina), the ancient
Pixous of Magna Grecia and later known as
Buxentum in Roman times. The entire Tyrrhenian coast of Basilicata overlooks the Gulf of Policastro, dominated to the north by the
Massiccio del Sirino. The main municipalities are
Sapri (SA) in Campania,
Maratea (PZ) in Basilicata,
Praia a Mare and Scalea (CS) in Calabria. The Campania section of the gulf falls partly within the Cilento and
Vallo di Diano National Park. == Notes ==