Vico Equense
Welcome to Vico Equense, the city between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Vico Equense, a city in Campania located between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno. With a population of about 20,000 inhabitants, Vico Equense is located on the Sorrento Peninsula and is surrounded by the Lattari Mountains.
Some Physical Geography
Vico Equense is situated on a tufaceous and calcareous block and overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city begins on the Sorrento coast and reaches its highest point at 1,444 meters with the summit of Mount Sant'Angelo. The city is also bathed by the waters of the Gulf of Salerno along the Amalfi Coast. With an area of almost 30 square kilometers, Vico Equense is the largest municipality in the Sorrento Peninsula and the eighth in the entire metropolitan city of Naples.
The History of Vico Equense
The first evidence of life in the area of the municipality of Vico Equense dates back to the 7th century BC, thanks to the discovery of burial sites belonging to a necropolis discovered in the 1960s. The first written mention of the territory dates back to the 1st century when Silio Italico, in the Punica poem, mentions a warrior named Murrano, from Aequana, a territory near Sorrento. In the Middle Ages, documents confirm the existence of the village of Aequa in the Seiano fraction. However, there must have also been a small village on the plateau where the current city stands, whose name is unknown, and which during the Middle Ages was depopulated. With the arrival of the Aragonese and then the Angevins, the old village on the plateau returned to life, thanks also to the depopulation of the settlement of Aequa. Walls were built, inside which the Church of the Santissima Annunziata with an attached bishopric and the Giusso Castle were then built. Over the years, small villages were scattered around the center, often around churches, and these constitute the current fractions. It was in the 19th century that the strong tourist vocation of the town began, especially during the summer period, both as a seaside and spa resort, thanks to the presence of the Scrajo thermal complex. In 1906, isolation ended with the opening of the Castellammare di Stabia-Sorrento tramway, later replaced in 1948 by the Torre Annunziata-Sorrento railway that connects the Sorrento coast with Naples. During the 1960s and 1970s, Vico Equense was affected by considerable building development that however did not affect its urban appearance. Damaged by the Irpinia earthquake of 1980, the city was subsequently repaired.
What to Do in Vico Equense
Vico Equense is a city that offers so many things to do. Let's start with the historic center, with the Church of the Santissima Annunziata and the Giusso Castle. The historic center of Vico Equense is a collection of picturesque alleys, baroque and rococo-style houses, and typical businesses. For sea lovers, there is the Vico Equense beach that offers enchanting views. I also recommend taking a walk on the Marina di Vico Equense, where you can admire spectacular sunsets. The promenade of Marina di Vico extends from the port of Vico Equense to Seiano, nestled between the sea and the Sorrento Peninsula. Nature lovers can instead go hiking in the surrounding mountains, perhaps visiting the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Toro or the Tower of Montalto. Finally, you cannot fail to mention the Scrajo thermal complex, just 3 km from the center of Vico Equense.
What to Eat in Vico Equense
Speaking of food, Vico Equense is part of the renowned Campanian cuisine. The typical cuisine of Vico Equense sees the use of local products, such as olive oil, lemons, almonds, and vegetables. Among the typical dishes are scialatielli with seafood, pasta and potatoes, and meter-long pizza. For dessert lovers, there are also limoncello babas, Sicilian cannoli, and other local sweet specialties.
Conclusions
Dear friends, I hope this summary of Vico Equense has been useful for you to discover this splendid city of Campania. Vico Equense offers so much to see and do, and I personally recommend visiting it at least once in your life. The city, between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, awaits you with its natural beauty, history, typical Campanian cuisine, and warm welcome.
