Discover Sant'Anastasia: Church Art and Trails on Monte Somma

Sant'Anastasia combines sacred art with trails, springs and high points on Monte Somma.

Church Art and Distinctive Architectural Forms

The Santuario della Madonna dell’Arco in Sant'Anastasia is an important neoclassical church with a Latin cross floor plan dating from the early 17th century. The fresco of the Madonna and Child in the Santuario dates from the first half of the 15th century. The fresco therefore predates the church building from the early 17th century.

The parish church of Santa Maria la Nova in Sant'Anastasia has an octagonal, pointed bell tower. The tower is an independent architectural detail of the parish church and adds another clearly described architectural form to the sacred architecture of Sant'Anastasia. For those interested in culture, the sights therefore range from the neoclassical church building and the older fresco to the bell tower of the parish church.

Votive Art Spanning Several Centuries

The Museum of Popular Religiousness Ex voto is affiliated with the Santuario della Madonna dell’Arco. It preserves religious votive objects, including around 7,000 painted panels. The collection of painted ex votos spans four centuries, from 1500 to 1900.

Another section contains objects made of silver and gold donated by the faithful from 1700 to the present day. Between 1700 and 1900, the periods covered by the painted ex votos and the donated objects overlap. The donations made of silver and gold subsequently continue through to the present day.

Landscape and Trails on Monte Somma

The landscape around Sant'Anastasia also offers specific trails on Monte Somma, including L'Olivella and Il Monte Somma. The L'Olivella trail climbs through the landscape of Sant'Anastasia to the springs of the same name, which rise at 382 m above sea level. For route planning, the ascent to the springs is an integral part of the L'Olivella trail. The springs at 382 m are lower than Punta Nasone and the Cognoli di Sant'Anastasia.

The Il Monte Somma loop trail leads to Punta Nasone. At 1,132 m, it is the highest summit of Monte Somma. The route also climbs to the Cognoli di Sant'Anastasia at an elevation of 1,086 m. Punta Nasone is therefore 46 m higher than the Cognoli di Sant'Anastasia. For route planning, the destinations are clearly separated: L'Olivella leads to the springs, while Il Monte Somma leads to Punta Nasone and the Cognoli.

Cultural Attractions in the Surrounding Area

The Museo Vulcanologico dell'Osservatorio Vesuviano is located near Sant'Anastasia. The Museo del Corallo is a museum in the area around Sant'Anastasia. Castello di Marigliano, a castle, is also located nearby.

Further destinations: San Giorgio A Cremano, Sant'agata Sui Due Golfi, Saviano, San Vitaliano, Termini-Massa Lubrense, Sant'agnello, Qualiano, Varcaturo.

For the overarching travel overview: Naples.