DESCRIPTION

From Piazza Avitabile, head towards Punta Belvedere, and after 100 meters, turn left onto Via Radicosa, following the entire uphill stretch. Continue past a clear left curve and stay straight on the uphill road entering the village of S. Lucia. After the last houses, continue on a staircase.

Proceed on level ground, crossing a coppiced chestnut grove, and after approximately 200 meters, at the height of a centuries-old chestnut tree, turn right onto a mule track. After about 300 meters of gentle uphill, the path turns left and follows a rocky cliff. Passing the last houses, follow the medieval mule track that once led to Amalfi, passing through Cospita and Vettica Minore. After reaching the top of Mount Murillo, enjoy a panoramic view to the west, where the Agerola basin seems suspended over the Coast, and the island of Capri peeks out from behind the bulk of Mount Tre Calli.

Once you change sides and start the descent, the landscape becomes more rocky and varied. The limestone layers, locally deformed by the forces of the Apennine orogeny, create vertical walls with caves and a small spire, which popular tradition identifies as a monk. At the bottom of a small, steep ravine, you’ll encounter a daring descent on rock that leads to the grassy ledge before the ruins of the monastery (already visible from above). From here, the descent along the vertical rock face is easy until you reach the flat area where the ruins are located.

The founding date of the convent is unknown, but it is documented from the 12th century and is said to have been visited by St. Francis of Assisi and Pope Sixtus IV. It was built on the cliffs descending from Mount Murillo to the Nocito gorge, in a setting that was certainly favorable for mysticism. Even the small cave in the upper part of the ruins (partly reshaped by humans) was likely a place for ascetic contemplation.

Today, even the most secular hiker is enchanted by the panorama visible from here over Amalfi (which appears very close below), Ravello, the Monti del Demanio, Capo d'Orso, and the azure waters of the Gulf of Salerno. After visiting the ruins, the return journey begins by following the same path back to the San Lazzaro district and Parco Colonia.

TECHNICAL DATA

• TYPE OF HIKE: E (Hiking)
• TOTAL DISTANCE: 5 km
• POSITIVE ELEVATION GAIN: 600 m
• NEGATIVE ELEVATION LOSS: 600 m
• TOTAL HIKING TIME: 4 hours, excluding breaks