Tag Archives: History

  • 13
    Jun 22
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Turkish invasion in Massa Lubrense

Category:Blog,Featured Tags : 

written by Miriam Russo

In 1558 the Turks were sailing in the waters of the Mediterranean in search of territorial conquers and goods to plunder. One of these sieges is the Turkish invasion of Massa Lubrense and Sorrento.

The invasion

On June 13, 1558 the Ottoman admiral Pialì Pascià and his fleet attacked and invaded the Sorrentine Peninsula causing a thousand deaths and taking at least 4,000 prisoners. Disembarking during the night on the beach of Marina del Cantone about 2,000 corsairs quickly climbed the promontory searching for farmhouses and other places to raid and plunder. The fleet was divided into three groups, forty ships landed at dawn at the foot of Massa Lubrense and another forty on the beach of Sorrento. The Saracens surprised the inhabitants of Massa in their sleep, making prisoners the few who managed to escape.
Despite the violent arrival and attacks, Massesi and Sorrentini fought to defend their homeland, but after 10 days of fighting, they surrendered before the power of the Turkish army.
It is quite “surprising” that none of the inhabitants of the Peninsula, including sentries and soldiers, had noticed the invasion. In fact, at the time, it was well known that the Turks had been sailing in the waters of the Mediterranean for several days. For this reason, it is said that it was a Turkish traitor, a slave to a noble family of Sorrento, who opened the gates of the city to invaders. The result was the destruction and sacking of the city and the capture of about 4,000 inhabitants who, locked up and huddled in the holds of the galleys, were taken to Constantinople to be sold at the market.

The coastal towers

After this terrible event, the viceroy of the Kingdom of Naples Don Parafan de Ribera had new and fortified watch towers built. In that period the fourteenth-century tower of the Gauls and the contemporary one of Punta Campanella were also rebuilt and improved. They were arranged so that each one of them was clearly visible from the other two nearby. In this way, it was possible to make signals with fire and smoke repeated in a chain from tower to tower in case of danger. At the same time, a guardian on horseback departed from other towers called “cavallare” to alert the inhabitants of the Casali.

One of the towers built after the Turkish invasion in Massa Lubrense in 1558

The legend

There is also a well-known legend linked to the Turkish invasion of 1558 regarding the bell of Punta Campanella. After the terrible events, on February 14, the day of Saint Anthony, patron saint of Sorrento, the devotees of Massa Lubrense went there in procession. From there, the tolling of a bell seemed to be heard coming from the depths of the sea. The stronger they were, the more agitated the sea was: therefore they signaled an imminent danger.

Turkish invasion in Massa Lubrense: Saracen tower of Punta Campanella

  • 08
    Jun 22
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Hiking for children: “Merende Itineranti” by Lucia Sessa

Category:Blog,Excursions,Featured,Travel Tags : 

written by Miriam Russo

Hiking is a very common activity nowadays. It is based on walks along paths surrounded by nature – usually on mountains. The aim is to explore and discover the territory, so as to see and live it even closer.
Not only is this kind of excursion widespread in Massa Lubrense area, but it is also expanded thanks to projects and events for adults and children. Especially the latter can get in touch with this exciting activity and, at the same time, get to know the territory. For that matter, one of the luckiest projects is “Merende Itineranti“, conceived by Lucia Sessa for the Pro Loco Massa Lubrense, to whom we asked some questions to find out more about hiking for children.

What is hiking and why is it the ideal activity for everyone

Hiking is generally the activity of walking, which differs from trekking in terms of times and duration: while trekking (which is also very popular in Massa Lubrense) includes excursions of several days, hiking takes place in one day only. Furthermore, hiking has its main focus on the movement, therefore it is mostly experienced as a sporting activity. Extending it to children, it allows them too to walk and move and to discover the territory at the same time.
It is ideal for everyone because – thanks to its short duration – it allows the little ones too to move without making too much effort. Moreover, as Lucia Sessa has highlighted, it helps to regain good breathing, which has great and positive consequences on both physical and psychological walkers’ condition.

Children group of Merende Itineranti

Hiking rules for kids

Although it is an activity that makes one free, hiking has its own rules too. They are based mostly on respect towards the surrounding nature and other people. For this reason, children are told to be silent during the walks and/or to stop at some points. This allows them to respect the common pace and to take time to breathe and observe what is around them, too. Another important rule is to follow and listen to the guide who describes interesting details along the road and points out any dangers.

Kids from the Merende Itineranti project walking and discovering

“Merende Itineranti” project

It’s a project born with the aim to create activities specifically for children during summertime. From the beginning, there was a double purpose: physical activity on one hand and discovery of the territory on the other. Over time, thanks to the positive feedback gained, Lucia Sessa and her team were able to diversify their excursion plans. They chose even longer paths which led them to farmhouses where kids were able to be in touch with animals and even learn about the local dairy production. At the very basis of the project, there is always the aim to get children involved, in fact, they carry out different tasks. In some experiences, for example, they have been able to discover particular locations and to see closely how the old crafts are still done nowadays.
Moreover, when it is time to have a snack, children are offered local biological products, with the purpose of taking care of nutrition too, which is another fundamental rule of hiking.

Hiking for children: learning and discovery activities in agritourisms provided by the Merende Itineranti project

First reactions and approaches

The first reaction to the project was undoubtedly positive and proactive: the children saw in the “Merende” an opportunity for sharing and a way to be together at the end of school. At the same time, their parents too found pleasure in learning about characteristics and features of the place that – in the habit of everyday life – they didn’t even notice. Over time, this has led to a growing will of participation which has made the project successful.

Activities and games played by the kids of the Merende Itineranti project

Age ranges for hiking for children

Hiking really is an activity within everyone’s reach. In fact, the children who participate to the “Merende Itineranti” project are aged from 5 years upwards. In cases of more difficult itineraries, the age group can change, but basically, it is an activity suitable for all ages. There is a careful selection of the paths based on the ideal of maximum inclusiveness. For this reason, the routes proposed are accessible also to participants with disabilities, giving them the opportunity to join the project and benefit from both the hiking and the discovery of the territory. In fact, hiking in the area is practiced by involving all the fractions of Massa Lubrense. Therefore, excursions are organized so as to reach different areas of the place in order to create more collectivity and learning opportunities.

Hiking for children: group of adults and kids walking

All these characteristics – and the way Lucia Sessa and the “Merende Itineranti” project carried out the hiking for children activity – make it something unique that everyone, adults and children, should try. Our invitation and advice are to experience what it really means to immerse yourself in nature, to discover and know more about the territory of Massa Lubrense as well as yourself.

  • 18
    May 22
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5 unmissable dishes of local cuisine

Category:Blog,Featured,Food Tags : 

di Miriam Russo

Uno dei punti di maggiore forza del territorio è sicuramente la cucina, che, con la sua grande varietà di prodotti, è in grado di rispondere a tutti i gusti e palati, regalando un’esperienza unica e irripetibile.
Di seguito, 5 piatti imperdibili della cucina locale, che vi consigliamo di assaggiare e gustare in particolar modo dopo esservi dedicati all’esplorazione che gli intensi paesaggi di Massa Lubrense offrono.

Zeppoline di alghe
L’antipasto ideale per iniziare a conoscere la gustosa cucina locale sono le zeppoline di alghe: si tratta di frittelle di “pasta cresciuta“ (denominazione tipica napoletana che indica la pasta lievitata) a cui vengono aggiunte le alghe di mare. Il connubio dona un caratteristico ed unico profumo di mare. La loro semplicità le rende adatte a qualsiasi occasione e gusto personale.

Uno dei 5 piatti imperdibili della cucina locale: spaghetti alla Nerano

Spaghetti alla Nerano
Classico della cucina napoletana, nonché primo piatto che prende il nome dall’omonima frazione di Massa Lubrense, gli spaghetti alla Nerano sono quasi un simbolo del territorio locale. Sono fatti con zucchine, prima fritte e poi unite al basilico, e provolone, con varianti che prevedono anche l’utilizzo del burro e della caciotta. Anche questo un piatto semplice, ma squisito.


Ravioli alla caprese
Come alternativa, un altro validissimo primo piatto sono i ravioli alla caprese. Il trio di basilico, mozzarella filante e pomodori rende questa pietanza completa e saporita. Con la sua semplicità, ma allo stesso tempo bontà, permetterà di portare in tavola sapore e tradizione, conquistando anche i palati più difficili.

Piatti imperdibili: pesce spada alla brace, condito con sale, olio, limone e foglie d'alloro

Pesce spada alla brace
Il quarto dei nostri 5 imperdibili della cucina locale è il pesce spada alla brace. Questo secondo piatto è tra i più prelibati della tradizione. Il pesce spada ha un gusto intenso e piacevole al palato, gusto che viene esaltato dalla marinatura all’olio d’oliva, succo di limone, aglio e prezzemolo. La cottura alla griglia, poi, risalta ancor di più odori e sapori di questa ricetta semplice, ma deliziosa. Sicuramente tra i piatti più consigliati.


Piatti imperdibili: monoporzione di delizia al limone

Delizia al limone
Per concludere il pranzo ideale all’insegna del buon gusto e della tradizione, immancabile è la delizia al limone. Si tratta di un dolce delicato, caratteristica dovuta alla crema di limoncello, ma allo stesso tempo deciso, tratto distintivo dei limoni che la compongono. Questi ultimi permettono di rinfrescare, ripulire e gustare contemporaneamente. Il tutto unito a del soffice pan di Spagna, che crea le fondamenta del dolce perfetto.


Tutto questo è solo un assaggio di ciò che la terra e la cucina di Massa Lubrense hanno da offrire, un ipotetico menù per conoscere meglio i suoi prodotti e, allo stesso tempo, le sue radici. L’incontro perfetto tra bontà e storia che chiunque dovrebbe avere il piacere di scoprire.

  • 27
    Apr 22
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1 day travel itinerary in Massa Lubrense

Category:Blog,Excursions,Travel Tags : 

written by Miriam Russo

Massa Lubrense territory is full of surprises: panoramic views, history and beauty combine creating a breathtaking experience. In this article, we recommend you a travel itinerary for one day to discover the wonders of this place and its surroundings (more easily by car).

Massa Centro

Our journey starts from the Municipality of Massa Lubrense capital, Massa Centro. Not only will the tourist office give you all the useful information to visit the place, but here you will be able to start admiring a small part of what this place has to offer. In fact, in the main square, or Largo Vescovado, you will find one of the many churches and chapels of Massa Lubrense: the Former Cathedral Santa Maria delle Grazie. In addition, in the same place, there is the unmissable panoramic point, “il Pennino” which offers a suggestive view of the Capri and Ischia islands.

First step of our travel itinerary in Massa Lubrense and surroundings of 1 day: the Former Cathedral Santa Maria delle Grazie in Massa Centro
Panoramic point "il Pennino" in Massa Centro

Marina della Lobra

The characteristic and suggestive seaside village of Marina della Lobra is just a little farther than a kilometer from our starting point. It is a fishermen’s village that owes its name to the Church of Madonna della Lobra which surmounts it. What will immediately catch your attention are undoubtedly the colorful houses of the place and the stairway that leads directly to the sea. It is the ideal place for the first break on our journey, to enjoy a sensational view of the Mediterranean sea.

Colorful houses and small boats in the seaside village of Marina della Lobra

Termini

After having returned to Massa Centro, our travel itinerary in Massa Lubrense leads us towards Termini. Walking across Marciano, you will already be able to enjoy the panoramic points along the road. In fact, the specific rest areas on the way will allow you to take a look at the island of Capri, which gradually gets closer.
But the wonders do not end here: once in Termini, reaching the Monte San Costanzo, it will be possible to enjoy the panorama that the highest point of the Sorrento peninsula offers. After having left the car in the pine forest just below the top of the mountain, a short walk will lead you to the Church of San Costanzo. Here, a 360-degree view of the gulfs of Naples and Salerno will await you.

Panoramic point on Monte San Costanzo

Marina del Cantone

Once off Termini, the next stop we recommend you to follow is Marina del Cantone, with its beaches and gastronomic tradition. In fact, at the end of this first-morning phase of our journey, this is the ideal place to find refreshment and relax. It will doubtless be amazing to swim in its crystal clear water or to enjoy a tasty lunch based on local specialties, such as the unmissable “spaghetti alla Nerano”.

One of the wonderful beaches in Marina del Cantone

Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi

Last but not least stop of our suggestive itinerary is Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi. Its name tells us something more about its position. In fact, it is located right on the central hill between Napoli and Sorrento’s Gulfs. From there, another impressive view, in the area called Deserto, will leave you speechless: the wonderful sunset enjoyable from the Monastery of San Paolo in Deserto will conclude this travel at the limit between physical and sensory experience.

View on Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Sant'Agata sui due Golfi, last recommended step of the travel itinerary in Massa Lubrense and surroundings

This is how our travel itinerary in Massa Lubrense ends. We also recommend you let yourself be guided by our interactive map. This will help you discover more and more about the wonders of this place.

  • 29
    Mar 22
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Torre Punta Campanella Tower

Saracen towers in Massa Lubrense

Category:Blog,Featured Tags : 

written by Eleonora Aiello

The territory of Massa Lubrense is dotted with coastal guard towers, the so-called “Saracen towers”. They are the testimony of a sighting and defense system built to protect the population from pirate raids.

History

The watchtowers on the territory of Massa Lubrense were built in different periods: during the Longobard-Norman period (IX century), under the Angevins (1266 -1442) who were the first to devise a real defensive system, and with the Aragonese (1442-1503) who continued the work.

Saracen pirates began to attack our coasts during the 9th century. With unprecedented ferocity, they pillaged and destroyed villages, kidnapped men, women, and children to sell them as slaves.

In 1500 the raids by Saracen, Barbary, and Turkish pirates became more frequent. In addition to attacking merchant ships in the Mediterranean Sea, privateers landed on the beaches and went inland to look for villages to raid and Christians to kidnap.

Among the bloodiest incursions that occurred in the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast, we remember the attack suffered by Cetara (1534), the massacre of Conca dei Marini (1543), the Turkish invasion of Massa Lubrense and Sorrento (1558), the Turkish invasion of Vietri (1587).

Thus it was that the coastal fortifications became more and more necessary. In fact, it is during the period of the Spanish viceroyalty that most of the towers still existing today were built. In 1563 Don Parfan de Ribera Duca d’Alcalà issued an edict that imposed the construction of coastal towers manned by military personnel on all the coasts of the Kingdom of Naples.

However, the large project was never completed, either due to lack of funds or due to the start of the battle of Lepanto, which required numerous galleys from the Turkish fleet. The towers gradually lost their strategic importance and were used for other purposes.

Tower of Crapolla – Photo by Giovanni Gargiulo

Characteristics

The towers of the Angevin period were cylindrical in shape, high, with not very thick masonry, and mainly had a guard function. They were used to signal the arrival of pirates with fires or smoke signals. In this way, the population was warned to seek shelter in the woods, caves, or fortifications.

With the intensification of the attacks, it was necessary to make the towers more resistant and massive; a square plan was preferred, with a greater thickness of the masonry on the external side. The first series of lookout towers were gradually replaced by defense towers, armed with cannons and manned by a guardhouse commanded by the guardian of the tower.

The defensive system implied that each tower was built in such a position as to be visible from the closest one so that the danger signals could be more effective and faster.

To mark the transition from one form to another was the introduction of artillery, which made it essential to change these fortifications. The artillery was placed on the square and not inside the tower since the gases and fumes released by the weapons would have damaged them due to the lack of saturation. The square tower was more functional than the cylindrical one also because it allowed containing more weapons.

Tower Minerva – Photo by Giovanni Gargiulo

What remains?

Numerous testimonies of these ancient defensive structures survive in the Sorrento peninsula. Some Saracen towers are nothing more than ruins, due to the lack of maintenance, while others, subjected to recovery interventions, have been adapted to the most diverse uses.

Torri saracene

The main Saracen towers

Nine towers still exist along the coast of Massa Lubrense. Along the Neapolitan side of the Massa coast, there are those of Capo Massa, Capo Corbo, San Lorenzo, Fossa di Papa, and Minerva. The others, Montalto, Nerano, Recommone, and Crapolla, are instead on the Salerno side.

Massa Lubrense is also rich in internal defense structures, built on the hilly belt. Examples are the “Torrione”, a structure built to defend the former Jesuit college, and the tower-houses, erected mainly by private individuals. The population used the towers even after the Saracen raids: Torre Turbolo, in the village of Annunziata, was the seat of the Pawnshop in the seventeenth century; Torre Ghezi, near Sant’Agata sui due Golfi, served as a refuge during the Second World War.

Map of the Saracen towers on the coast of Massa Lubrense

  • 31
    Jan 21
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Fotografie in studio

Category:Blog Tags : 

https://www.massalubrenseturismo.it/galleria-virtuale/fotografie-in-studio/

https://www.massalubrenseturismo.it/galleria-virtuale/fotografie-in-studio/
  • 24
    Jun 18
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The Aragonese Castle of Annunziata reopens to the public

Category:Blog,Events,Featured,Pro Loco Tags : 

On July 6th, 2018 the Aragonese Castle of Annunziata, one of the jewels of the municipal heritage of Massa Lubrense, reopens to the public.

The Pro Loco Massa Lubrense – in collaboration with the Arciconfraternita SS. Rosario dell’Annunziata and the I. P. San Paolo – takes care of the opening.

“I am extremely happy and satisfied to be able to open a fundamental piece of the history of Massa Lubrense – says President Teresa Pappalardo. – My personal thanks go first and foremost to the Arciconfraternita, which enthusiastically adhered to the idea and with which a deep and fruitful collaboration is born, to make the place usable and welcoming. I’m thankful to the City of Massa Lubrense, which promptly responded to our request, and to the High School San Paolo with whom we have a school-work protocol that has led the student Francesco La Via to take care of the openings to the public. With the collaboration of the historian Gennaro Galano we are preparing a new brochure about the place, which we are currently translating into English to allow visitors to deepen the site, and we are drafting a series of events that will enrich the summer events season of Massa Lubrense.”

The Castle will be open from Friday to Sunday from 9.30 to 13.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00.

The hamlet Annunziata and how to get there.

  • 27
    Mar 16
  • -

The Comic Massa Lubrense… what’s the story?!

Category:Blog,Featured,Pro Loco Tags : 

Comic
Massa Lubrense… what’s the story?!

PREHISTORy, MYTHS AND GREEK-ROMAN PERIOD

Hot off the press the first issue of Massa Lubrense… what’s the story?!, a series of five volumes that leads his readers on a fascinating journey through the myths and history of our land, particularly rich in a past to discover and visit.

The book series is divided into the following periods:

  1. Prehistory, myths and Greek-Roman period
  2. Middle Ages and Christianization
  3. 1550/1600
  4. 1700/1800
  5. 1900 Contemporary Age

The volume Prehistory, myths and Greek-Roman period focuses on the arc of time that goes from prehistory – with the earliest human settlements in the peninsula – to the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. C. – infamous for the destruction of the city of Pompeii.

Fumetto Massa Lubrense - Ulisse e le sireneProtagonists of the tale and cartoon characters are those – such as the Massa’s mule, winged sirens, Ulysses – that gradually have become part of the imaginary of Massa Lubrense. The story revolves around the events that have marked the evolution of the Sorrentine Peninsula, and highlights the archaeological finds that the time has preserved until today. Special attention is also paid to places visited along our territory, shown in the map of Sorrento at the end of the work.

Fumetto-Massa-Lubrense-CopertinaThe comic Massa Lubrense… what’s the story?! is available at Pro Loco Massa Lubrense.
To support the project, we require a small contribution from € 3.00.

 

The project was designed by Pro Loco Massa Lubrense and built – in collaboration with the Cultural Association La Fenice and Archeoclub of Massa Lubrense, and with the assistance of the City of Massa Lubrense – on texts by Dominic Palumbo and drawings and graphics by Bemarking.

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Events in October 2022

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26 September 2022 27 September 2022 28 September 2022 29 September 2022 30 September 2022 1 October 2022 2 October 2022
3 October 2022 4 October 2022 5 October 2022 6 October 2022 7 October 2022 8 October 2022(1 event)

Alla scoperta dei borghi di Sant'Agata, Acquara e Pastena

 9 October 2022
10 October 2022 11 October 2022 12 October 2022 13 October 2022 14 October 2022 15 October 2022(1 event)

Alla scoperta del borgo di Torca

 16 October 2022
17 October 2022 18 October 2022 19 October 2022 20 October 2022 21 October 2022 22 October 2022(1 event)

Alla scoperta del centro storico di Massa

 23 October 2022
24 October 2022 25 October 2022 26 October 2022 27 October 2022 28 October 2022 29 October 2022(1 event)

Alla scoperta dei borghi di S. Maria e Schiazzano

 30 October 2022
31 October 2022 1 November 2022 2 November 2022 3 November 2022 4 November 2022 5 November 2022 6 November 2022




PRO LOCO MASSA LUBRENSE

 

Viale  Filangieri  n. 11
80061  Massa  Lubrense, Naples, Italy
+39 081 5339021
www.massalubrenseturismo.it
info@massalubrenseturismo.it
prolocolubrense@gmail.com

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