Convento del Deserto

Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi


This hulking convent is located 1.5km uphill from the village centre. It was founded in the 17th century by Carmelite friars, but since 1983 it has been home to a closed community of Benedictine nuns. While the convent is of only moderate interest, the 360-degree views from the belvedere (rooftop terrace) really make the knee-wearying hike worthwhile.

If the door to the belvedere is closed during opening hours, ring the bell beside it to be let in.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi attractions

1. Chiesa di Sant’Agata

0.46 MILES

Located in the centre of the village, enjoy the cool decorative interior of this 17th-century parish church, famed for its polychrome marble altar, an…

2. Villa Fiorentino

1.03 MILES

Completed in the mid-1930s and recently restored, the gracious, neoclassical Villa Fiorentino is a venue for high-quality temporary art exhibitions and…

3. Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea

1.08 MILES

Since the 18th century, Sorrento has been famous for its intarsio (marquetry) furniture, made with elaborately designed inlaid wood. Some wonderful…

4. Duomo

1.09 MILES

Sorrento's cathedral features a striking exterior fresco, a triple-tiered bell tower, four classical columns and an elegant majolica clock. Inside, take…

5. Casa di Cornelia Tasso

1.1 MILES

Between the late 16th and early 17th century, this palazzo (mansion) was home to Cornelia Tasso, sibling of the lauded Italian poet Torquato Tasso…

6. Centro Storico

1.1 MILES

A major hub for shops, restaurants and bars, recently pedestrianised Corso Italia is the main thoroughfare shooting east-west through the bustling centro…

7. Chiesa di Santa Maria della Grazia

1.14 MILES

The town's former cathedral, 16th-century Chiesa di Santa Maria della Grazia, is worth a quick look for its bright majolica-tiled floor, which would look…

8. Sedile Dominova

1.14 MILES

Incongruously wedged between racks of lemon-themed souvenir merchandise, this 15th-century domed palazzo (mansion) has exquisite, albeit faded, original…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "italy/sant-agata-sui-due-golfi/attractions/convento-del-deserto/a/poi-sig/1293725/1316224",
      "destination": "Sant’Agata-sui-Due-Golfi",
      "region": "Sant’Agata-sui-Due-Golfi",
      "position": "superzone"
    }