Castellammare di Stabia, the ancient Stabiae, was among the favorite destinations of the Roman patricians.
Castellammare di Stabia is located in the southern part of the metropolitan city of Naples, located between the end of the Vesuvian region and the beginning of the Sorrento peninsula. This city is situated in a plain of alluvial-volcanic origin, enclosed in a basin of the Gulf of Naples. To the south, it is protected by the Lattari mountain range, while to the east it extends into the countryside crossed by the Sarno river, which flows into the sea of Castellammare di Stabia.
The origins
The origins of Castellammare di Stabia are lost in the mists of time and are still uncertain. Some findings testify that the area was already inhabited starting from the 8th century BC. Given its advantageous position on the sea, in a region rich in water and with fertile plains of volcanic origin, the first settlements began to develop in the area known today as the Varano hill. In that period, this hill represented a promontory that directly faced the sea, as the plain where the city is located today was partly submerged by the sea waters. The existing thin coastline was vulnerable to enemy attacks. There were various dominations such as that of the Samnites followed by the Etruscans and the Greeks: the name of this settlement was Stabiae.
Archeology
Compared to the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum, those of Stabiae are smaller in size and offer the possibility of observing a different aspect of the lifestyle of the ancient Romans. In fact, while the first two locations were cities, Stabiae, after a past as a fortified hamlet, was a holiday resort during Roman times. Numerous residential villas were built here, finely decorated and embellished with inestimable value furnishings; However, there was no shortage of rustic villas.
Discovered in 1749 by Bourbon excavators, Stabiae, from the beginning, has stood out as a place of excellence. The exploration of the city, however, lasted only a few years, so much so that already in 1782 all excavation activities were moved to Pompeii. Villas, houses and streets returned underground, while frescoes, statues and precious furnishings were collected in the Bourbon Museum.
After its abandonment, in 1800, there were various discoveries which kept the memory of Stabiae alive. But it was only in 1950 that two villas, Villa San Marco and Villa Arianna, partially saw the light again thanks to the principal Libero D’Orsi. The two villas can be visited every day and you can appreciate the design skills of the Roman architects who built them with daring technical solutions inserting perfectly the villas into the landscape.
Ancient Baths
Inaugurated in 1836, the history of the Ancient Bath of Castellammare di Stabia began 9 years earlier, when in 1827, based on a design by the architect Catello Troiano, the construction work began. The center immediately played a fundamental role. Not only citizenzs but also tourists, who especially in summer, crowded the city for treatments at the spa complex. Year after year the baths started to expanding with new pavilions and swimming pools reserved for multiple body care. The opening of the Moorish pavilion by the architect Cosenza, dates back to 1893. The spa became not only a wellness center but a real cultural center, so much so that painting exhibitions, cultural events and musical concerts were held in its park.
On February 26, 1956, the demolition of the ancient structure began. In this way, the construction of a new project designed by the architect Marcello Canino, that still exists today. Towards the end of the eighties, the spa complex goes into crisis due to the closure of a large part of the services offered, as they were moved to the new complex. Today the Ancient Baths are open a few hours a day only to allow the collection of various types of water. In summer some cultural events are organized.
Nature
Monte Faito
Monte Faito is a tourist station reachable by cable car from Castellammare di Stabia and by car from the Vico Equense side. 1131 meters high, Monte Faito is part of the Lattari Mountains, a mountain group in the Campania Pre-Apennines. Made up of predominantly limestone rocks, on the side of the Gulf of Salerno it is characterized by very steep walls overlooking the sea. Another important peak is Monte Sant’Angelo a Tre Pizzi, 1444 meters high.
Monte Faito is connected to Castellammare via a cable car operated by the Circumvesuviana. In addition to healthy walks through its woods, it is possible to visit the small temple dedicated to the archangel Michael and some springs.
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