Geographically the divine coast begins right here, from the inlet of Le Mortelle, in the enchanted context of Marina del Cantone bay in Massa Lubrense. Historical and vital place for generations of fishermen, now an innovative green tourism site, thanks to the sustainable Boe field of the Punta Campanella Marine Park.
Ph. Domenico Sgambati - Trentaremi
After passing the extreme promontory of the Gulf of Naples and the Bay of Ieranto, the Gulf of Salerno reveals to the sailors’ gaze the extraordinary landscape of the Amalfi coast. The clear sea, the Saracen Tower of Montalto, the hills with terracings sloping down to the sea, the cliffs and mount San Costanzo overlooking the bay, the characteristic seaside village of Nerano, with its restaurants and beaches. The typical colors and scents of the Mediterranean vegetation, with all the typical tree species, starting with myrtle, hence the name Le Mortelle.
It’s a magical place for tourists, friendly for local people. For hundreds of years, the fishermen of the Marina del Cantone fed their families and the whole village by fishing with “tonnarella” (a special kind of fishing nets).
The tower of Montalto overlooks the bay of Le Mortelle | Ph. Trentaremi
That of Le Mortelle is one of the historic tuna - fishing nets of Campania, active for centuries and until the early decades of the twentieth century. On the coast you can still see the 17th century building whose rooms, on the ground floor, probably served as a storage for fisheries. A tradition carried on by tens of generations of fishermen. An artisanal activity, without the classic tuna fishing, made with wide-meshed nets that allowed the passage of smaller fish.
A little beach set in the bay | Ph. Mariano Russo - Trentaremi
A very tiring but sustainable activity, abandoned in 1929. The memory, however, is still intact and is handed down from generation to generation also through the traditional procession on the sea on June 13th. It starts from the Chapel of Sant'Antonio al Cantone, founded in 1646, and continues by sea to Le Mortelle. This tradition strengthens year by year the relationship of faith between the people of Nerano and the saint, protector of activities linked to the sea.
Posidonia covers the seabeds of Le Mortelle | Ph. Guido Villani - Trentaremi
A tradition also respected by the Marine Protected Area of Punta Campanella, which only two days after the procession officially opens the season of the Mooring Field of Le Mortelle. This structure guarantees the protection of the seabed and at the same time allows you to enjoy a wonderful place. The buoys are of the Manta Ray type, a technology created by the United States Navy. And this is the system that guarantees the least possible environmental impact. The anchor, in fact, goes down to below the seabed. It is invisible and retractable, thus assuring mooring safety and eco-sustainability.
Posidonia, the marine plant essential for ecosystems, which is present here with the characteristic submerged meadows, is thus protected from anchors that tear it from the seabed. This system instead combines protection and use of a corner of paradise that would otherwise be inaccessible, because it is situated in zone B of the Marine Protected Area, where anchoring is prohibited.
Ph. Trentaremi
Thirty-three boats, up to 30 meters in length, can thus enjoy, from June 15 of each summer, the setting of a magical, enchanted place, that smells of nature and history and let visitors think of a sustainable future. Tradition and innovation walk together in the beautiful bay of Le Mortelle.