Top 4 Natural Monuments around Calvizzano

The semi-rock hermitage of Santa Maria Pietraspaccata is nestled within a centuries-old chestnut grove, the “Bosco della Salandra”, in the dense forest rich in flora and fauna extraordinary treasures are hidden: the “Ciaurriello“, a Roman mausoleum still preserved today, the “Grotta del Brigante“, and countless other archaeological finds yet to be discovered. The hermitage is located in Marano di Napoli and constitutes an archaeological-architectural unicum in Campania, it is partially dug into the side of a deep hydrographic furrow that from the Camaldoli hill flows into the bottom of the Quarto crater, with jumps of over one hundred meters. Its caves develop on multiple levels and probably represent a primitive rock settlement dating back to the Neolithic. It was an obligatory stop for shepherds during the transhumance, in fact, it overlooks an ancient Osco-Samnite sheep track (also cut into the tuff bank) that connected the highest Neapolitan hill with the Phlegraean-Campanian countryside. In Roman times, the caves were incorporated into an overlying villa, with probable function of mithraeum and nymphaeum. The tuff ridge involved is ingeniously sculpted in such a way as to intercept, with studied channels and inclined planes, both rainwater and spring water to be regimented in two large cisterns. Other channels accompanied the excess water to the bottom of the gully, where a suggestive stream flows that transforms into a rushing torrent during the rains. The hermitage-tower was added at the end of the 16th century in order to incorporate the aforementioned caves. The structure is crossed vertically by a fault fracture from which it is not excluded that thermal steam came out in ancient times. Discovered in 1992 by a group of volunteers organized by Prof. Carlo Palermo, who then formed the Archeoclub Maraheis, it was brought to light by them by manually removing hundreds of cubic meters of material that had fallen from the overlying cliff. The work, which lasted several years, has highlighted the strong archaeological value of the site and has recovered numerous finds from the Neolithic, from the 1st-2nd century AD and others from the medieval period. Most of these are located at the Archaeological Museum of Naples. In the early Middle Ages it was perhaps used by Basilian monks, as would be deduced from the very ancient title of SS. Salvatoriello, given to the main cave, later transformed into a tiny chapel. The place then evolved structurally from a primitive cenoby, becoming a true sanctuary to which people flock from all over the surrounding area. Over time, various hermits followed, then the Franciscan friars (the Madonna with Child and two adoring friars are frescoed in the apse, strongly reminiscent of Giotto), then the Jesuits and still other hermits, until 1800. After that date, it fell into a state of abandonment and almost total decay. In the sights of building speculation, the monumental complex suffered attacks of all kinds: the continuous landslides from the overlying ridge, the damage to the load-bearing structure with the removal of blocks and the dumping of waste of all kinds aimed above all to discourage any cultural activity in situ and above all the visits of both local believers and scholars. The praiseworthy initiative of the FAI ignites new hopes.

When the weather is good you can see the sulfur vapor rising here

In good conditions this stretch is passable

super panoramic stretch

The Solfatara is part of the Phlegraean Fields. A supervolcano with visible activity.

The name Avernus derives from the Greek άορνος (without birds), in fact it is said that this absence was due to the fact that the waters of the lake exhaled particular gases that did not allow the birds to live. According to the Greek and then Roman religion, it was an access to the Underworld, kingdom of the god Pluto: for this reason, the Roman underworld (the Greek Hades) is also called Avernus and it is no coincidence that mythology recognizes it as the gateway to the afterlife. , as well as the earthly abode of the fallen angel Lucifer. Lake Averno lies within an extinct volcanic crater, born 4,000 years ago.

Suggestive route in the heart of Naples that leads up to Mergellina. Called in dialect the "13 descended". Where there is the sanctuary it is possible to enjoy the most famous view of Naples.

After so many outings I would like to advise you to go to the astrons to enjoy your mtb in the metropolitan area of Naples. Be aware of a vegetation that is sometimes very dense but that does not affect the beauty of the paths that are very useful for learning to go off-road.