Let's discover one of the little-known wonders of Castel San Giorgio, near Salerno: its hermitage.
The hermitage: the history
The hermitage stands on the Ampollinare hill, otherwise known as the Hermitage of Santa Maria a Castello. It has Lombard-Norman origins and features a standing structure that has remained intact despite being surrounded by some ruinThis castle was built to defend the Principality of Benevento during the Lombard period. The military personnel assigned to its defense resided here. After the fall of the Lombard Empire, it passed into the care of the Abbey of Cava de' Tirreni. Subsequently, it was entrusted to the Abbey of Materdomini until it became state property. Inside the hermitage is a church, which is currently closed to the public.
A distinctive feature of the hermitage is the complete absence of mortar in its construction. This was a true innovation for the time, as it was used as a glue for building materials. The castle is currently closed to the public. However, sports enthusiasts and others alike often flock to the area in front to enjoy the wonderful view.
How to get there
Il castle It is easily accessible both on foot and by car via a paved path called Via Cupa delle Selve starting from the hamlet of Torello di Castel San Giorgio. Along the way, you can also see a structure once used for medical purposes, but now abandoned. Furthermore, from the summit, the view offers breathtaking vistas of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese countryside, all the way to Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples on a sunny day.
For some time, the Nocera-based Carbon Negative association, an organization dedicated to environmental protection through tree planting, has been working near the castle. Their goal is to increase the absorption of greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions. The green area in front is often the target of vandalism and human neglect. For this very reason, the Carbon Negative team is mobilizing to protect the area.
