Punta Campanella: the wonderful marine reserve of the Amalfi Coast

It stretches between the municipalities of Massa Lubrense and Positano, protecting around 40 km of coastline and the sea in front of it. The Odyssey tells us that this is where Ulysses encountered the enchanting sirens.

by Alessia Giannino

The Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area is a marine reserve established in 1997.

Punta Campanella is separated from Capri by the Bocca Piccola (a narrow sea strait) and was once known as Promontorio Ateneo (Promontory of Athena); indeed, the Greeks built the temple of the goddess Athena here. Its existence is confirmed by some literary sources dating back to 172 BC, when in Rome the college of decemviri maintained that, in order to obtain certain prodigies, sacrifices had to be made not only on the Capitoline Hill but also at the temple of Minerva (as Athena was called by the Romans). A mention of the place of worship also appears in the Tabula Peutingeriana, an ancient map depicting the military roads of the Roman Empire.

Even today, some ruins can be seen around the Saracen tower at Punta Campanella: these are most likely the remains of a temple's foundation. Furthermore, a few years ago, an inscription in the Oscan language, carved into a rock and referring to the Templum Minervae (Temple of Minerva), was discovered, along with a series of ceramic fragments, coins and terracottas which, it seems, came from the Sanctuary.

The temple, however, is still debated: the five terraces north of the Tower, once thought to be further remains of it, have instead been attributed to a villa that probably belonged to the emperor. Very little remains of this building, both due to exposure to the elements and to the batteries placed there by the French during the time of Murat to prevent the English from landing on nearby Capri.

Today, on the Punta Campanella promontory, stands the Torre di Minerva (Minerva Tower), built in 1335 by Roberto d'Angiò (Robert of Anjou) and later restored in 1566. This building served no other purpose than to spot pirates and warn the population: indeed, at its top there was a bell that was rung in case of attack. This is most likely also where the site's name comes from.

How to reach Punta Campanella

By train: from Piazza Garibaldi station, you can reach Sorrento via the Circumvesuviana railway line. From there, continue on to Massa Lubrense with the SITA bus, which stops at Viale Filangieri. Get off, then turn right onto Via Palma and right again onto Via Roma. After about 100 metres, you'll reach the Reserve's headquarters.

By car: once you reach Naples, continue on the A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria motorway until the Castellammare di Stabia exit, then join the SS145 Sorrentina state road. From here, follow the signs for Sorrento and Massa Lubrense. Once you reach Piazza Vescovado, park and continue on foot, turning right down Via Palma and right again onto Via Roma. After 100 metres, you'll arrive at your destination.

By plane: once you land at Capodichino airport, take the “Curreri” bus to Sorrento. From there, take the SITA bus to Massa Lubrense, which stops at Viale Filangieri. Get off and turn right onto Via Palma and right again onto Via Roma. After 100 metres, you'll reach the Reserve's headquarters.