The town of Sant’Agata sui due Golfi is located a few kilometres from Sorrento, on the top of a pleasant hill, in a privileged location from which you can have a lovely view over both the gulfs of Naples and Salerno.
Sant’Agata sui due Golfi is considered one of the pearls of the area, and even during the “Grand Tour” this place was frequently visited. It takes its name from a small chapel, built in the XVI and not more existing, dedicated to the young Sicilian Vergin Sant’Agata.
A great necropolis, from the 6th century BC, testifies that Etruschi and Greeks were the first inhabitants of this territory. In this area, called “Desert”, rises an ancient Monastery. The building was constructed in 1679 and now Benedictine cloistered nuns of St. Paul live there. The Desert hilltop is the perfect point to enjoy the view of the two gulfs.
In the centre of Sant’Agata sui due Golfi is situated the parochial church founded in the sixteenth century and dedicated to “S. Maria delle Grazie”, the Blessed Virgin of the Graces. The building of notable architectural interest, is also admired for its precious renowned high altar, realized with rare stones as mother-of-pearl, marble, malachite and lapis lazuli. It stands out also for its characteristic majolica clock on the bell tower above the façade.
Near the church, there is “Don Alfonso 1870” restaurant, 3 Michelin stars, one of the best and internationally renowned restaurants of Italy. It represents a great expression of haute cuisine and it is possible to attend its cooking school where the Mediterranean cousin is taught.
For the lovers of nature, this area offers many panoramic walking paths, from which it’s possible to overlook the two Gulfs and the typical vegetation of lemon trees, olive groves and citrus groves. A path, unique for its beauty, is the one that leads to the natural Fjord of Crapolla in the area of Torca. In the past it was used as a port and now is a little fisherman’s village. Although it takes 50 minutes and more than 500 steps to get to the small beach, the colours of the sea and the quietness of nature, relax you so much that it seems that the time has stopped here.