7
riders
Nativity Cave – Strada Matrone Trail loop from Pompei - Santuario
02:33
32.2km
980m
Gravel riding
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: June 25, 2026
Tips
Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted
After 31.9 km for 134 m
Waypoints
Start point
Train Station
Get Directions
10.4 km
Nativity Cave
Highlight • Cave
Translated by Google •
Tip by
13.8 km
Madonnina on Strada Matrone
Highlight • Religious Site
15.9 km
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
16.7 km
Scenic viewpoint overlooking Mount Vesuvius and the sea
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
17.2 km
Strada Matrone Trail
Highlight • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
31.9 km
Interior of the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei
Highlight • Religious Site
The sanctuary was built thanks to the spontaneous offerings of the faithful from all over the world. Its construction began on May 8, 1876 by collecting the offer of a penny a month. The first to follow the works was Antonio Cua, professor at the University of Naples, who directed the construction of the rustic part for free. Giovanni Rispoli later took care of the decoration and the monumental facade inaugurated in 1901. The sanctuary was elevated to a major pontifical basilica by Pope Leo XIII on May 4, 1901.
A Latin cross, it initially had a single nave with apse, dome, four side chapels and two chapels in the cross. On both sides of the sanctuary there were two other chapels with separate entrances but intercommunicating with the central nave: on the left, the chapel of Santa Caterina da Siena, where the painting of the Madonna was initially exhibited during the construction of the sanctuary; on the right, the chapel of the Holy Savior which took the place of the parish of the same name which stood in that place until 1898 and which was then rebuilt a few tens of meters away. In 1925 the construction of the 88 meter high bell tower was completed.
With the passage of time and the significant increase in the number of faithful it became necessary to expand the sanctuary carried out from 1934 to 1938 on a project by Chiappetta. The sanctuary thus had three naves (the central one was not modified) while the apse and the dome were enlarged. The exteriors were clad in harmony with the monumental facade, making the sanctuary acquire the appearance of a large Roman basilica. In the following years the sanctuary survived the eruption of Vesuvius in 1944 and the arrival of the Nazi troops who came to threaten its destruction.
It was the destination of pilgrimages by Pope John Paul II on 21 October 1979 and on 7 October 2003, by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 October 2008 and by Pope Francis on 21 March 2015.
On 11 November 1962 the monument to Bartolo Longo was placed in the square in front of the sanctuary, the work of the Ravegnano sculptor Domenico Ponzi. The then president of the republic, Antonio Segni, took part in the solemn inaugural ceremony.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
32.2 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
17.1 km
9.35 km
5.23 km
515 m
Surfaces
17.3 km
9.94 km
3.04 km
1.73 km
207 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (990 m)
Lowest point (10 m)
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Wednesday 24 June
33°C
22°C
42 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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