Santa Maria
Santa Maria, one of the oldest hamlets of Massa Lubrense.
In ancient times the village of Santa Maria was named Belvedere, the name changed in the current Santa Maria della Misericordia, for special protection to those convicted in the Court of Justice that was here.
Church of Santa Maria della Misericordia
Recently restored, this sixteenth-century church has a beautiful tiled floor with decorations of the eighteenth century, stucco work and paintings from the same era. Remarkable is a painting by Guido Reni, a true masterpiece of the Bolognese painter, depicting the Holy Family, donated by the painter to the De Curtis family that hosted him.
The nave is spacious with an apse and dome and square plan. On the front door (1613) there is a fifteenth-century statue of the Madonna with Child.
The Altar, of the seventeenth century, is in beautiful polychrome marble, it belonged to the Church of San Giuseppe del Quartiere, and was moved here in 1808. Above is the ancient effigy of Mercy. To the left of the front door, in the wall of the nave, is the Chapel dedicated to the Annunciation of sec. XVI, then passed under the title of St. Mary of Charity.
Excursion Massa Centro – Santa Maria – Annunziata – Marina Lobra
The circular route starts and ends in Massa Centro, through the ancient hamlets of Santa Maria and Annunziata, the spectacular vantage point of San Liberatore and the charming fishing village of Marina Lobra.
From Viale Filangieri, in Massa Centro, the path starts from via Rachione. Here we recommend a quick visit to the nymphaeum Cerriglio, located in the building that since the fifteenth century is the residence of the family De Martino. Walking along the long avenue leading to the nymphaeum, you can not but be attracted to the colonnade in tuff with marble busts. The path continues by Via Mortella, at the corner of Via Pozzillo, following the red marks.
You are now between walls of tufa stone, in Via Sant’Aniello Vecchio, heading to the ancient church of Sant’Agnello Abbate. The path goes uphill to a staircase that leads to the village of Santa Maria. The panorama from this path is almost a telescope on the port of Marina Lobra. When the stairs end you are in the small square of Santa Maria. The church entitled to Santa Maria della Misericordia is on the left. You are now in one of the oldest hamlets of Massa Lubrense. It was formerly called Belvedere, the name changed in the current Santa Maria della Misericordia, for special protection to those convicted in the Court of Justice that was here.
Walking on the road, following the blue trail, cross the square of Annunziata, with its church, and, soon after, the majestic Torre Turbolo, built in 1614 and home to the Pawnshop. You can stop for a moment, to rest on the benches of the belvedere, on the western bastion of the castle: the view on Capri is wonderful. Continue the path always on the road, downhill, to reach the top of a staircase adjacent to Villa Murat.
The walk continues with the blue trail up to go out for a short while, on the drive way via IV Novembre. Turning right you reach the Cemetery of San Liberatore, great vantage point, hence the blue trail takes you to the village of Marina Lobra.
Having reached the small fishing village, it is worth pausing to savor the feeling of a crystallized time, before rising in Massa Centro along Via Colombo.
How to reach Santa Maria
By car
To reach Santa Maria by car, from Massa Centro take Via Rotabile Massa Turro and proceed for about 2 km, then take the left fork towards S. Maria – Annunziata. There are parking places along the road, in the blue lines.
Public transport
SITA buses stop at S. Maria – Annunziata fork, they leave from Sorrento or Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi. Please check the timetable.
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