ChurcesNestled just below the famed Marinella Terrace, Cappuccini’s Church crowns a dramatic tuff cliff overlooking the Gulf of Naples. Accessible via a serene tree‑lined path from Sant’Agnello’s center, this chapel-convent complex offers both spiritual calm and historical charm.
Cappuccini’s Church: Faith and breathtaking views on the Sorrentine Coast
Easily reachable with a walk from the historic centre, along a quiet tree-lined avenue, the church today represents a point of reference not only for the faithful but also for those who wish to discover the authentic and spiritual face of the Sorrento Peninsula.
Storia e architettura della Chiesa dei Cappuccini
Built in 1586, the original chapel and adjoining convent were expanded in the 1600s to improve stability on the cliff. The imposing cliff-top Belvedere dei Cappuccini, recently restored and reopened to the public, now provides one of the most iconic views of the Sorrento Peninsula.
Inside the church, a richly carved wooden altar by Friar Bernardino of Massa and an altarpiece depicting the Madonna with Saint Francis and Saint John (painted in 1844 by Eduardo Scarpati) stand out as highlights. façade, redesigned that same year by Don Giuseppe Gargiulo of Trasaella, aligns visually with the small square ornamented with statues of the Madonna of Lourdes and Padre Pio.
Pastoral traditions and modern hospitality
The convent experienced periods of suppression in the 19th century and was even repurposed as a poorhouse before the friars returned in 1887 and resumed religious functions.
Today, it also hosts a religious guesthouse, welcoming visitors seeking spiritual refuge and proximity to nature, continuing its charism of hospitality and retreat.
Cappuccini’s Church offers a unique blend of architectural simplicity and cliff-top grandeur. Whether viewed for its spiritual atmosphere, its artistic details, or its one-of-a-kind panorama of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples, it is a must-visit for those exploring the spiritual and scenic riches of Sant’Agnello.
Belvedere and hospitality in the convent
An unforgettable view of the Gulf of Naples
One of the most evocative points of the complex is the lookout in front, from which a breathtaking view opens up over the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius. This view is among the most iconic of the coast and invites silence and contemplation.
The adjoining convent is today an accommodation facility managed by religious people, which welcomes travelers in search of quiet, spirituality and contact with nature. An ideal solution for those who want to stay in an authentic place, immersed in peace and history.
Visiting the Cappuccini’s Church in Sant’Agnello means immersing yourself in a place full of meaning, where time seems to have stopped. It is an unmissable stop for those who want to discover the most intimate and panoramic face of the city, between silence, art and spirituality.
