History of Vico Equense
The municipality of Vico Equense is the largest on the Sorrento Peninsula, extending over 29.3 km² and varying in altitude from 0 to 1440 metres above sea level. The territory presents a great variety of landscapes, from the sea to the mountains, and has seen the presence of different populations and cultures over the centuries, including the Auxons, Samnites, Etruscans, Greeks and Romans, and has undergone various dominations such as Roman, Byzantine, Norman, Angevin and Bourbon. Originally, the main activity was sheep farming and hunting. The connections between the various settlements were limited to paths and mule tracks, many of which are still visible and are being rediscovered today. The name ‘Vicus’ originally indicated a village, while ‘Equense’ appeared in the 16th century when the Angevins elevated the Vicus to a municipality.

The Dairy Tradition
Cattle and goat breeding and milk production in the Vico area dates back to ancient times. Galen, a Roman doctor from the 2nd century AD, praised the Faito milk for its curative properties, thanks to the medicinal plants that the cows ate. The Faito, also known as Mount Lattaro and later as Gauro and Auro, was fundamental in the history of milk production, appreciated by the Romans for its quality. In the Middle Ages, Benedictine and Camaldolese monks played a crucial role in the processing of milk and cheese, contributing to the art of cheese-making. The Camaldolese hermitage, built in 1600