Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi

Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi

Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi (= on the Two Gulfs) owes its name to its privileged hilltop location, between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno.

The view of the “Two Gulfs” can be observed from the viewpoint of the Monastery situated on the hill called “Il Deserto”, a short walk from the center of the village. Just downstream from this hill, in the area called “Vadabillo”, a vast necropolis came to light, with many tuff sarcophagi of the seventh and sixth Centuries BC.

The discovery of an amphora, on which is depicted a winged siren, gave strength to the hypothesis of the existence in this place of the Temple of the Sirens.

Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi is a tourist destination since the Nineteenth Century, thanks in part to its scenic location, but also for its well-known mild climate and healthy air. It overlooks the island of Capri and the islands of Li Galli.

Perfect starting point to the Amalfi Coast, from Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi is also possible to take many paths to Sorrento, Massa Lubrense and the Fjord of Crapolla. Also the panoramic Sirenuse Trail starts here.

Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

Founded in 1745, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of the most interesting religious buildings of the town of Massa Lubrense.

The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie has a Latin cross plan, it has a fine seventeenth-century altar by the sculptor and architect of the Florentine school Dionisio Lazzari: the altar is a real masterpiece in marble, mother of pearl and lapis lazuli marquetry. It is unique for its beauty, according to the historian Neapolitan Parrino (1700) who argued that “perhaps you can not find in the world an altar like this.”

The church houses also the beautiful statue of St. Agatha and numerous paintings of the sixteenth century, some of them recently renovated; in particula,r the “Madonna delle Grazie” by John Antonino D’amato il Giovane, depicting the Madonna on a magnificent panorama of Capo di Massa and the island of Capri.

Monastery of Deserto

The monastery of Deserto is definitely the most scenic religious building of Massa Lubrense area. The lookout on the roof of the monastery offers a really great view on the gulfs of Naples and Salerno. It was a must see during the Grand Tour, and it still attracts thousands of visitors looking for beautiful and breathtaking views over the two gulfs. From the little square of Sant’Agata you can reach it with a short walk of about ten minutes.

The building was built by the Discalced Carmelites in 1679. It was purchased by the Benedictine nuns of St. Paul in 1980, after years of neglect.

 How to reach Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi

By car

To reach Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, from Massa Centro take Via Rotabile Massa Turro; from Sorrento the shorter road is Via Nastro Verde. You can park your car in blue lines along the roads, or in the public parkings.

Public transport

SITA buses to Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi leave from Sorrento (via Massa or via Nastro Verde). Please check the bus schedule.