Follow track nr 2 (Maiori- Avvocata – Erchie) to the fork in the road on the ridge. On the left the steps take to the Chapel of San Vito and then to the Sanctuary of Avvocata. Do not follow that path.
On the right, instead, go along a wide track gently sloping down among some cultivated terracing, along the stretch of path going into the deep valley and through the Mediterranean thicket, and the one out of the gorge. After about 1400 metres, just before getting to the crest line, there is a fork in the road.
Go on the left, to the point towering the cemetery of Maiori (a cement wall runs along the point, on the left hand side). Go on into the valley for about ten minutes, to a wide bend to the right. At the end of it, before the next bend on the left, take the branch to the right where a path goes down.
You will not recognize the branch immediately. It can be seen past a wreck, among a group of prickly pears and a fig tree, near a shed. After some hairpin bends, along a stretch of path partly made of wooden steps, the descent ends in a wide part of the path. Follow it to the right for a few metres. In the point where the wide part of the path climbs to the right, take the path descending to the sea.
In fifteen minutes, past some small hairpin bends partly made of wooden steps and half dug in the rock, you will get to the main road, immediately past a kiln. Take the tarmac and go to the left. After about three hundred metres you will get to
The Abbey of Santa Maria de Olearia.
The settlement originated at the end of X century, founded by Peter the hermit, who chose to live alone in the great cave.
Later on, his little nephew Giovanni joined him: they both lived making wicker baskets they would sell at the market in Amalfi. With the passing of time, other followers came and founded a cenoby dedicated to Santa Maria "de olearia", so called because of the olive groves covering the whole slope descending to the sea, or perhaps, for the oil mill standing there.
In 1088 the Pope gave the monastery to the Cava dei Tirreni Abbey, and the building was widened until it got the present shape, with the three chapels laid one at the top of the other.
On the lower level, completely built in the rock, stands the oldest room, where Peter lived.
Above all stands the "Praying Virgin Lady among Saint Paul and Saint George". A narrow passage links to the monks’ cells, that during the centuries were used as funerary rooms, called Catacombs by the local inhabitants.
In the second larger hall, with two naves and a massive column in the middle, services were held. The hall hosts interesting frescoes painted between VII and XI century.
Short steps link to the last chapel, where you can admire the walls frescoed with the episodes of San Nicola di Bari’s life. Very interesting are the signatures of the devoted pilgrims who visited this building for centuries.
In case you want to go back to Maiori by public transport, the SITA bus stop is not far, on the right hand side, when facing the sea. |
