Castellammare di Stabia is an important town in the Campania region which lies in a inlet of the Gulf of Naples, at the beginning of the Sorrento peninsula. The locality is set at the foot of Mount Faito, where once stood the ancient Stabiae, first inhabited by the Etruscans and Greeks. In 340 b.C. it was conquered by the Romans, who transformed it mainly in a tourist resort, as evidenced by many villas founded on the hills surrounding. The eruption of Vesuvius in 79 that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum, completely destroyed also the village of Stabiae.
In the eighteenth century Bourbon decided to start the excavations that unearthed the remains well preserved of Roman residences. The most beautiful are the Villa San Marco and Arianna, who retain several rooms decorated with magnificent frescoes and mosaics, gardens, swimming pools and large terraces overlooking the gulf. Of great historic interest is the medieval castle, built by the Duke of Sorrento, from which Castellammare di Stabia takes its name. In the town's main square there is the Cathedral, with the Doric-style facade, and the Palazzo Farnese.
Castellammare di Stabia has always been known for the presence of 28 natural sources of mineral water, also used by the Romans, giving birth to two spas. The ancient one was built by Ferdinand IV in 1827 and was a destination for nobles and celebrities coming from all over Europe. The new structure is a modern and well-equipped center that offers many therapies associated with leisure and relaxation. The town is also a popular seaside resort, thanks to its coast equipped with lidos, restaurants and clubs.
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