Hiking in Monterosso – Monterosso to St. Antonio, Punta Mesco

Trail number 10

17^th of August 2013
 

Feeling the energy from Ferie Agosto I decided to hike up to the monastery of St. Antonio visible on the southern summit of the headland Punta Mesco. The church was established in the 14^th century, although parts of the ruin date further back in time.

Punta Mesco as viewed from Soviore, showing the hiking trial leading to St. Antonio

Although only ruins remain of this once beautiful church, it is worth the short hike up the mountain. The entire hike including my ascent, spending some time at St. Antonio and my descent took me 1 hour 30 minutes. The distance is 2 km and I would grade the hike as easy to moderate. As per hiking protocol, do not forget to take water, a hat and sunscreen as there is not much shade protecting you from the scorching sun.

I must be honest; the ascent is at first hard going as you walk up the hill that winds round the Belvedere Suisse Hotel. Thereafter you are confronted with a series of staircases. However, you are rewarded by beautiful views of the coast which serve as a distraction and before you realise it you reach a flat path that leads you to St. Antonio.

 

Beautiful views of the coast serve as a pleasant distraction along the hike

 

As one approaches St. Antonio you will reach a fork in the road. The path that splits off to the right leads one all along the coast to Levanto where you will descend to the castle. This route is part of trial no. 1 and you will need to allow an extra 2 hours to complete this path.

Fork in the road where the path to the right will lead you to Levanto; part of trial no. 1

I must admit that the ascent was not as tough as I thought it would be and before I realised it, I looked up and saw the ruins of St. Antonio proudly standing tall.

 

First view of St. Antonio

 

At the end of the 15^th century the monastery was built alongside the church. However, the monastery was progressively abandoned and the monks settled in Levanto.

The wooden statue of Saint Antonio the Abbot, that is currently housed in Mortis et Orationis Oratory in Piazza Matteoti in Monterosso, used to be kept in this monastery.

 

The ruins of St. Antonio

 

The monastery was also used as a watch tower to sight the approach of ships towards the coast, especially in the 16^th century. As danger was frequent, the men from the coastal villages used to come to the aid of the monks and ascend the mountain to light fires in the night and make smoke signals in the day to warn the villagers that a pirate ship was spotted on the horizon and possibly approaching. It was not always possible to avoid threats and in 1545 a fleet of pirate ships, Draghut, destroyed Monterosso and Corniglia.

 

The monastery used to serve as a watch tower, warning residents of approaching pirate ships

 

Standing within the ruins of St. Antonio, with the yellow butterflies fluttering around me, so close that they almost touched my nose, I could not help but feel the peace of nature and the stillness of the history hidden within the stones of the ruin of St. Antonio.