Welcome to Monte Faito which at 1,131 metres high is just shorter than nearby Mt. Vesuvius at 1281 metres, but the walk up to Monte Molare takes you to the highest point of the Amalfi Peninsula at 1441 metres. The Funivia, cable car, located at Castellammare di Stabia railway station takes just 10 minutes to transport visitors from a non-stop world to one of tranquility. During that time the Bay of Naples opens up to show the city hugging the sides of Vesuvius and beyond with the Sorrentine Peninsula and Capri on the opposite side. This panoramic view is breathtaking and a perfect introduction to many more magical scenes waiting to be discovered on Faito.

Visitors file out onto the Piazzale Funivia where tour guides quickly lead their groups to the Monastery of San Michele or other popular beauty spots. More experienced trekkers march off towards Positano with all the necessary equipment. Others stroll quietly along the trails to discover for themselves the natural wonders that lie hidden beneath Faito’s canopy. The name Faito originates from faggio (or faggeto), the beech tree.

This natural world has long been a passion for Salvatore de Stefano, who for many years has recorded the everchanging environment throughout all seasons. Born in Naples and now living in Vico Equense, Salvatore knows the geography and history of Faito and its role in local culture. This selection of photographs provides a glimpse of life within Faito. There are many more to be seen on the Monte Faito facebook page, link provided below.

Monte Faito was an important source of wood for Castellamare’s ship building facility opened by King Ferdinand of Naples in 1783. The beech trees also gave constant shade to natural pits filled with snow which were covered with rags and leaves to preserve it through to the summer. The snow was dug out and cut into blocks for transportation to Naples for food preservation and cold drinks until the early 1900s.

Evidence of these snow pits called ‘Fosse della Neve’ can still be seen in an area called ‘Neviere’ where they are surrounded by larger beech trees to provide shade. Some of the trees are said to be 400-hundred years old with a diameter of six metres.

Faito is constantly changing with the seasons, every day creating a different atmosphere through light, colour, textures, sounds, flora and fauna to stimulate all the senses. This magical landscape allows you to walk on carpets of chestnuts and gold leaves, rest on moss covered tree stumps and listen to the breeze while keeping cool under the forest canopy.

The mountain also provides a focal point for the community’s many activities including festivals, sport, competitions, summer camps and even drama productions using the forest as the stage. The faithful walk the trail up to the Sanctuary of San Michele, known as Il Sentiero dell’Angelo (The trail of the Angel) because it was followed by the saints Catello and Antonino. Images from these activities are also recorded on the Monte Faito facebook.

As you begin the journey from Naples airport to Sorrento, Mount Vesuvius is the dominant feature, but as you approach the town of Castellammare, Monte Faito takes over. As the highest point of the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula, visitors would never imagine how easy it is to reach for walks and lunch. The train from Sorrento to Castellamare Di Stabia takes 25 minutes and the cable car, also at the station, takes another 10 minutes to glide to the top. For anyone seeking a little solitude or for families with children looking for a play and learn adventure, Monte Faito offers lots of space. At a height well above 1000 metres and with shade from beech, holm oak and chestnut trees, it is a few degrees cooler than the towns.

Salvatore De Stefano
For more information and images visit the Monte Faito Facebook page which was set up by Salvatore in 2021 to help raise awareness of the beauty of the mountain and as a focal point for the local community.

Details of Salvatore’s other projects can be see on his personal facebook page.

The timetable for the Cable Car which operates from April to November can be found on this link Funivia Timetable.