In 1990, 22 footpaths (covering a total 110 km) were located by Giovanni Visetti between Sorrento and Massa Lubrense . These became the Nuovo Progetto Tolomeo, providing walkers with a network of itineraries set back from the main roads, the noise and large urban centres. Clearly marked with a system of coloured stripes and ceramic tiles, the routes were simple to follow and you could walk as far or as little as you wished, without the fear of getting lost, enjoying the countryside and villages a world away from the crowded tourist traps. Maps were produced and available at all the tourist offices and I am pleased to say that I too had a small part in this, translating the mini-guide on the back of the maps into English and that is when I first met Visetti. We spent many a happy hour bickering over the exact translation of a word or two and this is also when I began to hike again, something I hadn't done since I was a child in the UK.Over the years the itineraries and maps were updated with new additions (such as the Giro di Santa Croce) and notice boards with large maps collocated at strategic points around the area, complete with QR codes for the technically minded. Digital versions of the maps were also made available by Giovanni on his web site, free to download: http://www.giovis.com/maps/Tolomeo2018.gif
Now for the news: Giovanni is in the process of revising and updating the Progetto Tolomeo in collaboration with the Municipalities of Sorrento and Massa Lubrense and with the coordination of Penisolaverde. New itineraries are being included and those falling within the territory of the Municipality of Sorrento have already been identified and traced. In addition to the two classic links to Massa Lubrense centre, there are half a dozen others going towards the villages up in the hills, including Zatri and Li Schisani for Sant'Agata sui due Golfi, both of which had fallen into disuse. There is also a completely new route through the chestnut groves of Lamia towards Acquara and Monticchio. Each itinerary is identified with different coloured number, painted trail markers, stickers on lamp poles and of course the ceramic tiles characteristic of the original project.
Two new circuits in the centre of Sorrento, are already accessible, identified by numbers 11 "The walls and gates of Sorrento" and 22 "The Villages of the Sorrento valley" going from Sorrento (Porta del Piano) to Cesarano, Cala, San Biagio, Baranica, Casarlano and Casola (locality "Sciuscelle"), returning to the centre of Sorrento. Clearly, each itinerary and each circuit can be walked in either direction. A website is also under construction where it will be possible to obtain information about the itineraries.Now all we need is to be free to try them out!
(Photos courtesy of Camminate)
