Don't be fooled by the name, Castellammare is a seaside town but also a mountain town and rich in history!

We have organized an unusual tour to discover another side of the city , starting from the alleys of the historic center and arriving at the Quisisana park, close to Monte Faito.

We begin by leaving behind the Cassa Armonica on the city's seafront.

A small, curious note about this urban decor: widespread throughout Europe between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this cloister was designed both to host musical groups performing concerts (acting as a sort of amplifier) and to beautify public spaces. The one in Castellammare, designed by Eugenio Cosenza in cast iron and glass, is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

We continue through the gate of San Catello, patron saint of the city but also known as the patron saint of hikers because the opening also marks the starting point of a path that leads to the Church of San Michele, among the peaks of the Lattari Mountains.

At this point we find ourselves strolling through the alleys of the historic center, the beating heart of the city which, as often happens, is the subject of numerous prejudices and false myths, such as that it is a dangerous neighborhood and should be avoided.

To eradicate these beliefs and encourage tourists to explore the area, the City commissioned artist Nello Petrucci to involve others from around the world, from Spain to Chile, from Belgium to Argentina, to create murals on the walls of the center, thus revitalizing it. Wandering around, you can discover the work of Kymo One , depicting a young boy (most likely a migrant) carrying a burden (his suffering, his past), or, at the beginning of Vico Tedesco, the image of a naked woman, covered only by a sheet with the words "Nemo tibi amat" (Nobody loves you), likely the image of a prostitute, since that was the very street where Germans went to have fun during the war.

A little reminder for those who want to retrace this itinerary: don't forget the house where Raffaele Viviani was born and spent his early years. Together with Eduardo De Filippo, he was a protagonist of 20th-century Neapolitan drama, becoming famous above all for the song "'A rumba d'e scugnizze."

Before entering the forest, we stop to collect some of this town's famous water, known as the Madonna's water. A river once rose from Mount Faito and flowed into the town. A fountain was built here in the 19th century, topped with a mosaic depicting the Madonna, hence the water's name. This water is naturally excellent, once considered curative, and therefore "miraculous." Even today, locals (and knowledgeable foreigners) seek out natural fountains to quench their thirst. The "champagna" is famous, a slightly more fizzy spring than the others and thus compared to refined sparkling wine.

Following a series of scenic paths, we arrive at Quisisana Park. As early as the 13th century , various rulers took notice of this evocative and healthy site, and built a palace and park here, praised and appreciated by illustrious guests, including Boccaccio, who celebrated the beauty of the place by setting several tales of the Decameron there.

The origin of the name is particularly curious: it was Charles II of Anjou who exclaimed “Here one gets well” in the name of a recovery obtained thanks to the hilly climate, which was also beneficial for King Ladislaus and Joanna II who escaped the plague by taking refuge in the Palace of Stabia.

The park's heyday was the Bourbon era. In 1759, Ferdinand IV carried out a series of renovations to expand the park and enrich it with avenues, stairways, and fountains. A trident, adorned with fountains, was installed in one of these avenues, providing access to the royal forest. For this reason, the park is also known as the King's Fountains .

The flora is partly Mediterranean and partly exotic, including some rare species; among the most common are plane trees and horse chestnuts.

Inside the Royal Palace is the Libero D'Orsi Archaeological Museum of Stabia, dedicated to Libero D'Orsi, a headmaster who was the first to decide to undertake the rediscovery of the Stabian Villas.

The museum collects testimonies of daily life, in particular that which took place in the Roman villas of otium (luxurious residences aimed at rest, of body and spirit, from activities and business) and in the villas rustice (similar in concept to modern farms).

Among the finds on display are frescoes, opus sectile floors, stuccoes, sculptures, terracottas, tableware, bronze and iron objects.

You move through different rooms, each dedicated to a residence: Villa San Marco, Villa del Pastore, Secondo Complesso, Villa Arianna, Villa Del Petraro (some of which can also be visited).

A complex that is only partially accessible to visitors, but which, we hope, will soon open all its enchanting doors.

An extraordinary tour concludes, free from any preconceptions, just like us.