Legend has
it that once Gods of “Monti Lattari” used to follow a path across the hillside
parallel to the sea, to go and admire the beauty of the Sirens of the gulf of
Naples and to enjoy their bewitching songs while bathing in Positano’s waters; this ancient path was called “The Path of the
Gods”. Its name derives probably by its location, the path is in fact situated
half way at the foot of Mount St. Angelo a Tre Pizzi you can admire one of the
most spectacular landscape in the world, which is the western part of the Amalfi Coast
from Praiano to Capri. Along the promenade, you can cover all the typical
features of the Mediterranean, from the flora with herbs and aromas of
traditional local cuisine, to the fauna characterized by the presence of weasels, foxes
and hedgehogs in a place where the clear sky is dominated by peregrine falcons, swallows,
owls and crows. The route can be made in both directions but generally, the
departure is from Bomerano (you can also enter along the path from Praiano
passing the Convent of St. Dominic) and you come up to Montepertuso.
The most
striking part of the path is for sure the one that goes from “Grotta Biscotto”
to Nocelle, which is exceptionally interesting and scenic from beginning to end. The first one is a natural cave an exemplary site of rare geological
effect, full of stories that invigorate the beauty of these places, it treasures
in fact, well-preserved ruins of ancient artefacts used as animal shelters and
deposits. Nocelle is on the other hand, a characteristic small village, which
was once linked to Positano Village only by a long staircase.
Left behind
the remains of ancient settlements in the rock of “Grotta Biscotto”, you will
soon meet a majestic amphitheatre of horrid crags, and then the spectacular
"Pinnacolo”, on which we see what is left of a plaque in memory of
Giustino Fortunato, who seems to have given its name to this path. Keep on
following the path we reach the fork to Colle Serra, there, in a blue
landscape, it will be possible to admire the breathtaking landscape formed by Li
Galli Island, the Vetara rock and the ridges of Mount San Costanzo which gently
slopes towards Punta Campanella. The vegetation at this point changes quite radically
and you pass by a few shrubs and grass at a spot full of dense oaks, arbutus,
heather and rosemary. Along the trail are steep some places, there are ravines,
abandoned terraces and empty houses. All this brings us back to a bygone world
tied to the hard work of the earth, but was relieved by the mild climate and
the beauty of the Amalfi.
Following a
very tortuous and full of ups and downs path, we finally reach “Vallone
Grarelle”, with its caves and deep coves, and later the little village of Nocelle.
From the
little village you can get off on Coastal Route making about 1500 steps and
arriving in Arienzo, or continue up to Montepertuso reaching Monte Gambera site
of the legendary battle between the Virgin Mary and the Devil. Traces of this mystical
fight are today visible and are said to be: the imprint in the rock of Lucifer’s
tail, traces of the Madonna and the girl, by her lit, footsteps, as well as the
highly visible and famous hole, which is said to have been stamped in the
mountain by the index finger of the Madonna.
Legend has
it that the noise of the controversy was so intense, that the brigands who used
to live in the surrounding caves were awakened in their sleep and watched
astonished the battle. It is also said that from that moment on, the earthly
personification of the Devil, the brigands, stopped to live there and abandoned
the caves of Montepertuso. It is right here in Montepertuso that ends the Path
of the Gods, and is from this point that you can reach the center of Positano.
