Vico Equense is a popular destination for summer stays. Yet, the city shows its beauty even during other seasons. For example, it is worth taking a spring tour through the 13 small villages around it. Read about them.

Marina di Equa

Marina di Equa is an ancient village overlooking the sea, whose well-sheltered bay is a particularly favourable landing place for boats. The origins date back to the pre-Roman age. At the time, the populations were engaged in marine, commercial and also agricultural activities. The name comes from the Roman historian Silo Italico who called the ancient urban settlement Aequana. Today, the village is rich in archaeological evidence of its ancient history, both from Roman and pre-Roman period. Walking through the port, you can observe the Tower of Capoviro, an antique defensive structure, and then continue and get to the picturesque pebble beach called spiaggia delle calcaree (limestone beach). The citizens are very devoted to Saint Antonio, and the chapel that stands in the main square of the historic centre is dedicated to him.

Seiano

Seiano has a strong link with its Roman origins: the name derives from Seius, a wealthy Roman patrician who had built a sumptuous villa here for his stays of well-being. However, Seiano is also a charming medieval village. Here you will find numerous sacred buildings rich in fabulous paintings. The Chapel of Santa Maria Vecchia has a particular history: the fresco on the portal depicting the Virgin and Baby Jesus was originally on the only wall that survived the church collapse of the sixteenth century. Also, the church keeps a small nave where gifts of various kinds offered to Our Lady for miracles that occurred at sea are displayed. These votive offerings are known as ex-votos. For the citizens, Our Lady has always been considered the protector of sailors, and ex-votos bear witness to the strong bond they have with the sea and faith.

Montechiaro

Montechiaro is the perfect place for a walk in search of healthy air and pure nature. The landscape is rural, full of climbs, lanes and arduous paths. The past rock life of the village is testified by the remains of a structure resembling a tower. According to tradition, these remains are the ruins of the hunting lodge of King Ferdinand II of Bourbon. He was an avid hunter and, for this reason, a good connoisseur of hunting areas. Finally, among the most evocative churches, we recommend visiting the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, also known as the Red Chapel because of its ruby colour. The church overlooks the sea, like a sort of natural terrace that offers a breath-taking view.

Fornacelle

Fornacelle is a lovely village nestled in the hills halfway between Seiano and Pacognano. If you are looking for a quiet place, Fornacelle offers exceptional peace. The heart of the village is the small square in front of the church of Saints Peter and Paul. The characteristic bell tower will leave you breathless: the clock is finished with beautiful majolica.

 

Pacognano

In Pacognano, the lush vegetation and the dense local crops seem to have swallowed up the whole landscape and almost hide the characteristic rural houses. Among the must-visit places in Pacognano, it is worth visiting the ruins of the sixteenth-century villa that belonged to the scientist, poet and philosopher of Vico Equense Giovan Battista della Porta, a man of great culture and particularly close to the occult and supernatural world. Then, going down the valley, you will find the magnificent church of Santa Maria. Here, you can observe the beautiful original majolica flooring.

Arola

If you love unspoiled nature, Arola will delight you. Located on the slopes of Monte Comune, the village is naturally rich in dense vegetation and crops of local products, in particular fruit. Not surprisingly, the name of the burg presumably comes from the Latin word rus, which means cultivated field. In Arola, you will be enchanted by the rural atmosphere: the houses are typical peasant residences with large internal courtyards. The main church dates back to the sixteenth century and is dedicated to Saint Antonino. According to the tradition, he would have made a stop at Arola on his way to Sorrento.

Astapiana Villa Giusso

Astapiana Villa Giusso is a charming historic residence dating back to the seventeenth century. Here, you will find an oasis of tranquillity and total relaxation with a stunning panorama overlooking Sorrento and the Gulf of Naples. Despite being far from traffic, the Villa has a strategic location a few km from Sorrento (10), Pompeii (22) and Amalfi (40). The majestic mansion was originally a Camaldolese monastery. The works began at the beginning of the seventeenth century and continued successively with the addition and embellishment of the whole complex. In 1641, the church consecrated to St. Mary in Jerusalem and St. Romuald, the founder of the Camaldolese order, were erected. With the Napoleonic domination of the nineteenth century, the monks were forced to dissolve the clerical orders. The Villa was abandoned and its treasures looted. Later, the monastery was ceded to Duke Louis Giusso by the Bourbons, who had made the Villa a Royal Site. The Duke transformed it into a country residence and, since then, the site has acquired its current name.

Preazzano

Preazzano is a tiny hamlet of Vico Equense famous for silk manufacturing. From here, you can take the path to the top of Monte Comune. On the way, you will find vast pastures - mainly cattle - from which the famous and tasty Provolone del Monaco cheese is produced. The main church is dedicated to Saint Andrew.

Ticciano

Ticciano preserves direct evidence of the history of Vico Equense hamlets. The church of San Michele Arcangelo preserves an early Christian cross carved in the tuff and a Roman inscription. Many sources have revealed that war veterans in the service of Emperor Augustus had retreated to Ticciano to devote themselves to rural life. Today, the citizens keep alive the legacy of their history and still live only in agriculture. However, craftsmanship is the real protagonist of Ticciano: here, the centuries-old production of hand-woven baskets made with chestnut wood is handed down.

Santa Maria del Castello

Santa Maria di Castello is a small rural village. Its church overlooks Positano, and the road that leads to it is an arduous path made of very steep stairs. In the past, reaching the church was considered a path of penance to atone for one's sins. Also, the church was a refuge to escape the waves of the pestilence that struck the South of Italy. The church was built in the fifteenth century and dedicated to the Virgin, to whom the citizens are immensely devoted. A rich collection of great paintings is kept inside the church and, in particular, three precious paintings of the Neapolitan school dating back to the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Santa Maria del Castello is also one of the starting points for the famous Path of the Gods, a spectacular nature trail that leads from Agerola to Positano in 9 km of a walk immersed into the wild and overlooking magnificent scenery.

Moiano

Moiano is located in the highest hilly area of Vico Equense, more than 500 meters above sea level. The territory is immersed in the Mediterranean maquis and is crossed by a so-called mulattiera, an ancient road that leads to the nearby Monte Faito. The heart of the village is Piazza Scanna, probably a place once used for the slaughter of meat. In the centre, an ancient column of Roman times stands proudly. The economy of Moiano is strongly increasing, especially thanks to the artisan farms of dairy products.

Monte Faito

It is worth visiting Monte Faito in any season. In spring, in particular, you can witness the spectacular flowering of plants. With its 1050 meters, Monte Faito offers spectacular views on the Gulf of Naples and the entire Sorrento Peninsula. Once at the top, there is the Viewpoint dei Capi from which, on clear days, you can even behold Capri, Ischia and Procida. Then, from this viewpoint, you can take the Strada Alta (High Road) and the Strada Bassa (Low Road). The former leads to the cable car that connects the mountain to Castellamare di Stabia, while the latter goes down to Moiano and Vico Equense. The roads of Monte Faito are rich in vegetation and populated by many species of birds.

 

Massaquano

Massaquano is the oldest hamlet of Vico Equense: the road construction has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. Massaquano preserves ancient religious traditions: every Tuesday of Pentecost, a religious procession starts from the Oratory of St Mary of Chieja to get to the statue of the Holy Virgin, adorned for the occasion with gold quilted clothes.

 

San Salvatore

San Salvatore is a tiny rural centre. The main church is dedicated to Santa Maria delle Grazie and, according to the accounts, it was erected in the exact place where peasants found a fragment of the wall on which the Virgin was depicted.

Bonea

Bonea is a small village gathered around the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista. The chapel houses a particular seventeenth-century painting depicting the Virgin and Baby Jesus holding a bag full of gold coins. According to pagan tradition, this could be a reference to the ancient cult of female deities considered as dispensers of wealth and fertility