Punta Campanella

Punta Campanella, or Punta della Campanella, is the extreme offshoot of the Sorrento peninsula on the Tyrrhenian coast.

Punta Campanella is separated by the small strait of Bocca Piccola from Capri Island.

It is dominated by Mount San Costanzo of 497 meters, which is part of the chain of the Lattari Montains, and it is bounded by the Bay Jeranto to the east. Punta Campanella was called by the Greeks Ateneo.    

The Greeks built a temple to the goddess Athena, whose foundation is attributed to the mythical Odysseus. The Romans practiced the cult of the goddess Minerva.

The presence of the temple is confirmed by the archaeological ruins which are still visible around the Saracen tower: remains of the base of the temple are located south of the tower while the ruins of the temple of Minerva are recognized on five separate terraces located on the north.

Today on the promontory stands the Tower of Minerva, built by Roberto D'Anjou in 1335, and rebuilt in 1566.

The tower had an alarm function in case of attacks by pirates and was part of a series of towers built along the Sorrento peninsula. The Tower was equipped with bell giving the name of Punta Campanella (Bell Point).

In 1997 the Marine Reserve of Punta Campanella was established, covering an area of over 1500 hectares, including the town of Massa Lubrense and the town of Positano. The reserve protects about 40 km of coastline and the sea front.

The Reserve is characterized by a landscape of global significance, quality historical and cultural sites and the presence of high quality hotels and tourist services.

The nearly 20 square kilometers of territory, despite being surrounded by water, are marked by a dense road network which, in some parts, follows paths going back over 2000 years ago.

Walking along these ancient streets you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery, through the many archaeological remains, religious buildings or towers along the coast is also possible to go back through the centuries and almost relive the atmosphere of the past.

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"© Regione Campania - Assessorato al Turismo ed ai Beni Culturali"