Vico Equense: Museums, Architectural History and Coast

Vico Equense brings together architectural history and museum collections with trails, coastline and Monte Faito. The cheese-making tradition associated with its fields and slopes is also one of the things that define the town.

Culture, Architectural History and Collections

The residential complex known as Castello Giusso has a medieval section commissioned by Sparano di Bari between 1248 and 1289. Today, the castle is a private residence that hosts exhibitions and cultural events. Check separately whether access is possible before planning a visit. The Church of SS. Annunziata also brings together architectural history and culture: it is considered the only example of sacred architecture in the Gothic style on the Sorrento Coast. A large underground gallery displays an exhibition on the history of the building and the Diocese of Vico Equense.

Founded in 1992 by the Discepolo Foundation, the Museo Mineralogico Campano holds minerals, fossils and shells, as well as stone tools made by human ancestors. A paleontological section, established in 1997, displays dinosaur fossils such as eggs, claws and teeth. The collection thus offers different ways to explore natural history and early tools. For information about opening days and hours, contact the Museo Mineralogico Campano at 081 801 56 68.

The Antiquarium Silio Italico displays Attic pottery with black and red figures, Bucchero pottery, Etruscan bronzes, Ionian and Corinthian vases and bowls, as well as large amphorae, jewellery and weapons. The exhibition also reconstructs the history of a necropolis where about 200 tombs were discovered in several phases beginning in 1965. Individual groups of finds are presented alongside the history of the necropolis and its discoveries.

Another cultural stop is the Antonio Asturi Open Museum: a permanent exhibition about the painter Antonio Asturi in the new municipal building at Piazzale Giancarlo Siani.

Walks, Coast and Monte Faito

Via Castello Marina is an old, scenic footpath leading to Marina di Vico Equense. On Monte Faito, you can walk through forests of holm oaks and chestnut trees; the mountain can be reached from Vico Equense via the R. Bosco road. The two natural attractions offer distinct experiences: one path leads to the marina, while the other focuses on woodland walks in the mountains.

A coastal highlight in its own right is the Banco di Santa Croce, an underwater shoal about 600 metres off the coast of Vico Equense, at a depth of approximately 10 metres. A biological protection zone was established there on 15 June 1993. The Banco is known for its biodiversity compared with nearby sites and is also well known among international diving communities. Vico Equense also has a sandy beach with natural springs.

Food Culture and Festa a Vico

The fields and slopes of Vico Equense are associated with centuries-old culinary traditions and cheese-making. Festa a Vico is a festival of chefs in Vico Equense, with proceeds donated to charity. The local food culture can therefore be explored both through its longstanding connection to cheese-making and through a festival with a charitable purpose.

Discover more destinations: Portici, Casola di Napoli, Pozzuoli, Qualiano, Ercolano, Giugliano In Campania, Palma Campania, Arzano

For the main travel guide: Naples.