A day trip to Vico Equense
If you are planning a vacation on the Sorrento Coast and want to visit places off the usual popular tourist routes, Vico Equense is your destination.
This town stands on a block of rock overlooking the sea, from which you can admire wonderful views of the Sorrento Coast, Mount Vesuvius and the Li Galli archipelago.
People inhabited this area since ancient times (the earliest records date back to the 7th century BC), and then slowly abandoned it to come back only during the Middle Ages. Then, in the 19th century, thanks to the construction of the road linking Castellammare di Stabia with Sorrento, Vico Equense became a summer tourist destination.
Although less famous than Sorrento or neighboring towns on the Amalfi Coast, today Vico Equense continues to attract visitors because of its beautiful views, picturesque streets and excellent local cuisine. So, here’s what to see in Vico Equense on a day trip.
What to see in Vico Equense
The Church of the Santissima Annunziata
The Church of the Santissima Annunziata was built in the early 14th century. The interior is in Gothic style, while the facade is in Baroque style. But the beauty of the building is not the only reason why it is worth visiting. In fact, this church is located in an incredible position, on a rocky ridge overlooking the sea. A truly scenic place!
Giusso Castle
Giusso Castle was built in the 13th century, said to be at the behest of King Charles II of Anjou. It too, like the church of Santissima Annunziata, is in a lovely location on a promontory overlooking the sea. Over time it was a military stronghold and then became the residence of the Giusso family, which restored it in the mid-19th century.
Museums in Vico Equense
Among the museums worth visiting in Vico Equense is the Antiquarium Silio Italico, an archaeological museum founded in 1966. It mainly collects grave goods from a necropolis people discovered under Vico Equense in the 1960s and 1970s during the construction of some buildings. The collection includes bronze objects, ceramics, ancient weapons and vases.
Another museum is the Mineralogical Museum of Campania, opened in 1992. It is a paradise for mineral lovers and houses a collection of pieces gathered over more than fifty years by a local engineer. You can find minerals, but also fossils, meteorites, and precious gems.
Finally, there is the San Vito Museum of Sacred Art, where you can see a display of sacred objects made between the 16th and 18th centuries from different regions of Italy. In addition to paintings, it also includes silver and coral objects.
Scrajo natural spa and beaches
Vico Equense’s main natural attraction is the Scrajo spa complex. Created at the end of the 19th century, it exploits several springs of beneficial sulfur water suitable for the treatment of various diseases, both dermatological and respiratory.
The particularity of these spas lies in their proximity to the sea, that makes Vico Equense a great destination for a vacation of well-being and fun. Some of the beaches are adorned with ancient watchtowers, and on one, at Pezzolo beach, there are even the remains of an ancient Roman villa.
The Santa Croce Shoal
Not far from the Scrajo baths is the Santa Croce shoal, which is one of the most beautiful shoals in the entire Mediterranean Sea. The water depth here varies between nine and sixty meters, and the shoal is home to several species of animals and plants, including the rare red coral.
The Lattari Mountains
Vico Equense is surrounded by the Lattari Mountains, which offer numerous hiking trails. There are trails suitable for all levels. For example, reaching the hamlets of Arola or Santa Maria a Castello is suitable for beginners thanks to the hilly landscape, while those who are more trained can engage in climbing the highest peaks, such as Mount Comune or Mount Faito.
Typical products
The local food on the Sorrento Peninsula is exceptional! And one of the unmissable products of Vico Equense is the famous Provolone del Monaco. It is a PDO cheese, available in two versions: sweet and spicy. In short, everyone can find the cheese that best suits their taste.
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