MUNICIPALITY: Maiori
NAME: Terraces
LOCATION: Loc. Castello, Loc. Cicerali, Loc. Montecorvo
DESCRIPTION: Maiori has a good percentage of terraces, especially in the vicinity of the residential area. To the west and east of the urban center, numerous terraces accommodate lemon cultivations which, before the 1954 flood, extended all the way to the sea. The terraces are well maintained and have good and prolonged sun exposure. To the east, the terraces – especially in the higher area – also contain vines, and there are numerous farmhouses testifying to the intensive agricultural activity of the past. Especially in the locality of Cicerali, it is interesting to note how the extent of the terraces is interrupted at the top by the route of the pedestrian road that led to the mountain. Below the road, there are terraces above the forest. The entire area in the Montecorvo locality is cultivated, and a great effort has been made to restore the terraces even though there hasn’t been any planting activity yet. Some areas dedicated to vegetable garden cultivation can also be seen. This area is crossed by the ancient road that led to the Catacombs locality (the area of S. Maria dell’Olearia) and then to Capo d’orso. Here it is possible to see all the structures that were used for agricultural activity: farmhouses, fishponds, tools used for maceration.
SEE, VISIT, FIND: The terraces to the west can be crossed by walking along the road that climbs from the area of the Collegiate Church of S. Maria and connects to Via Torre in Minori. The very scenic footpath opens up interesting views of both coastal settlements. The area to the east, on the other hand, can be visited by walking along Via Casale dei Cicerali (which higher up becomes a footpath that enters the mountain), or Via Montecorvo, which runs through the same area, but at a lower elevation.
OPPORTUNITY: The opportunity to see terraced areas both in use and in abandonment allows the visitor to understand how this activity influenced and still influences the hydrogeological structure as well as the economy of the Amalfi Coast.
