With its 13 farmhouses and almost 30 square km of extension, Vico Equense is the largest municipality in the Sorrento Peninsula. The area covers a geographical arch that, starting from the Scrajo, cross the city centre until green hills, reaching parts of the beach under the mountains of Positano.
Vico Equense, with its mountain landscape and its beautiful beaches, offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy a holiday by the sea as well as a resting stay surrounded by nature, thanks to the convenient position of Monte Faito.
This peak (1131 m) – quite the highest in the Monti Lattari chain – can be easily reached from Moiano, the highest village in Vico Equense. Once you will leave the town, just follow the tarred road. It is easy to find since it’s characterized by several hairpins and a wonderful view!
The origin of the name
Certainly, the name “Vico” refers to the Latin term “Vicus“, meaning village, while “Aequana” was the name of a small medieval village existing at the mouth of River d’Arco, an ancient creek starting from the slopes of Faito and reaching the Seiano coast.
There was a time during which the coast of this geographical area where crowed and devastated by Saracens raids. To avoid them, people started to climb the mountains around here in search of protection from the enemy’s incursions and settle. Thanks to the shape of this territory, many farmhouses developed. Yet, the name of some of these farmhouses clearly suggests a Roman origin: Ticciano and Seiano indicate that they must have been owned respectively by gens Titia and gens Seia.
A very long, unique road connects all these farmhouses to each other: via Raffaele Bosco. This road offers an extraordinary panorama and shows buildings of great artistic and architectural value; all adorned by legends linked to the inhabitants of these villages, some of whom guardians of anecdotes, tales and centuries-old traditions.
Among the ancient buildings, the small church of Saint Lucia speaks out in the farmhouse of Massaquano. Built in the last quarter of the fourteenth century by Don Bartolomeo de Cioffo, this Gothic-style chapel preserves wonderful frescoes from the late Giotto school, showing episodes of Saint Lucia and the life of Christ.
Vico Equense also holds the primacy in owning the most beautiful church in Italy, craved by many married couples, including foreign. We are talking about the former Cathedral, dedicated to the SS. Annunziata and built in the 14th century on a calcareous cliff overlooking the sea. The church faces the Marina d’Equa and Seiano, which offers a spectacular panorama from the square in front of the building.
Vico Equense responds well to the growing tourist impulse; much of its tourist economy is based on good food and food processing. The dairy products of Vico Equense are unique delicacies and very requested in both Sorrento and Amalfi coast: most of all, Provolone del Monaco, a sweet or slightly spicy cheese.
Even the pizza here in Vico can’t be missed. Some pizzerias distinguish themselves for the excellence and delicacy of the dough. Light and thinly worked in real “Neapolitan” style.
Here, also seafood is a daint to try in some restaurants by the sea, especially down the Seiano Marina, which in the summer evenings is the ideal place for dinner and a peaceful walk. You may enjoy a delicious after dinner in one of the various bars located on the road that borders the beach.
Certainly, Vico Equense represents the ideal compromise for those who want to enjoy everything, the seaside and the mountains!