Altavilla Silentina is a town and comune located in the province of Salerno, Campania, some 100 km south of Naples, Italy.

The panorama includes the island of Capri, the mountains of the Amalfi Coast and the Gulf of Salerno in its northern part.

In 1246, having sided with the town of Capaccio and other local barons against the emperor Frederick II, Altavilla was completely razed to the ground.

The breach was opened in a section of the old town that still today bears the nickname of muro rutto ("broken wall").

The city was newly built because of its strategic position dominating the plain of Sele River and was designed in a quadrangular shape, with the addition of a New Gate called "Portanova" (New Door).