Happy TravellerWelcome to Castellammare di Stabia, a picturesque comune located in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania region, in southern Italy. Situated on the Bay of Naples, Castellammare di Stabia is a hidden gem that offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re interested in exploring ancient Roman ruins, relaxing in thermal baths, or simply soaking up the Mediterranean sun, Castellammare di Stabia has something for everyone.
History:
Castellammare di Stabia lies next to the ancient Roman city of Stabiae, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The castle, of the city it takes its name from, was erected around the 9th century on a hill commanding the southern side of the Gulf of Naples. It was restored during the reign of Frederick II of Hohenstaufen and enlarged by King Charles I of Anjou. The comune, previously called Castellamare, assumed the name Castellammare on 22 January 1863, and the current name on 31 May 1912.
Religious Buildings:
Castellammare di Stabia is home to several beautiful religious buildings, including the Castellammare Cathedral, San Bartolomeo, Santa Caterina, Chiesa del Gesù, and Chiesa del Purgatorio.
Excavation of Villas:
The excavation of Roman villas preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 is currently underway. Villa Arianna and Villa San Marco can be visited and do not charge for admission.
The Thermal Baths:
Castellammare is known as the Metropole of the waters for its hydrological heritage of 28 different kinds of waters, divided in sulphurous, calcic bicarbonate and mineral water, each one with a particular healthy property. The thermal bath has been a huge part of the economic life as well as of the tourism of Castellammare since the 19th century. To take advantage of the waters’ property there are two different thermal baths, one in the historical centre of the town and the other on the hill. Besides, the two most important waters of Castellammare, Acqua della Madonna and Acetosella, have been known since the time of Pliny the Elder, who suggested to drink them in case of calculosis, today they are sold as far away as America.
The Ancient Thermal Baths:
The Ancient Thermal Baths were inaugurated in 1836 and since the beginning had a very important role for the citizens and also for the tourists coming in summer for the thermal cure, making the city very crowded. Because of this overcrowding the building was enlarged with new pavilions and pools for the thermal cures of the body, like a real spa but it was also a cultural centre where many art exhibitions, cultural events and concerts were held. Today the Ancient Baths opens only few hours a day for bathing. In summer there are some cultural events. In the summer of 2007 the renovation of the building began so it can resume the many thermal services.
The New Thermal Baths:
The New Thermal Baths, located on the hill of the Solaro, near the district of Scanzano, was inaugurated on 26 July 1964. This building has two zones: one zone is the building dedicated to the thermal cure and then there is the park for the hydroponic cure. The building for the thermal cure offers the chance of practicing physiotherapy, hyperbaric medicine, massages, mud baths, inhalation of the sulphurous waters, rehabilitating, dermatological, aesthetic and gynaecological cures. Instead the hydroponic park allows practicing hydrotherapy, that is drinking the specific kind of water to cure specific pathologies, while walking through the park. Moreover, in summer in the park there are many events, during mornings and evenings, such as concerts, open cinema, exhibitions and conventions.
Geography:
Castellammare di Stabia borders with the municipalities of Gragnano, Pimonte, Pompei, Santa Maria la Carità, Torre Annunziata and Vico Equense. It counts the hamlets (frazioni) of Fratte, Madonna della Libera, Pioppaino, Ponte Persica, Pozzano, Privati, Quisisana, Scanzano and Varano.
Sport:
The local football team, SS Juve Stabia, currently plays in Italian Serie C and is one of the oldest football teams in Italy, having been created in 1907. SS Juve Stabia plays its matches in Romeo Menti Stadium.
People:
Castellammare di Stabia has been home to many notable figures throughout history, including Pliny the Elder, Catello, Saint, Giuseppe Bonito, Nikolai Gogol, Luigi Denza, Michele Esposito, Ettore Tito, Raffaele Viviani, John Serry, Sr., Gabriele De Rosa, Marcel Jovine, Pupetta Maresca, Mario Merola, Giuseppe and Carmine Abbagnale, Aldo Arcangioli, Gennaro Iezzo, Raffaele Imperiale, Bruno Cirillo, Antonio Mirante, Fabio Quagliarella, Luigi Vitale, Antonio Donnarumma, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Sebastiano Esposito.
See also:
Stabiae, Juve Stabia, Province of Naples, Regio Cantiere di Castellammare di Stabia, Reggia di Quisisana.
References:
External links:
Castellammare di Stabia official website (in Italian)
