Astapiana Villa Giusso is mentioned for the first time (with the ancient name of Astichiano) in 1578 by Monsignor Sacra, who, in one of his apostolic reports, lamented the state of ruin of the ancient church of S. Maria in Jerusalem, probably of Angevin-Aragonese origin. The particularly suggestive place was already inhabited in Roman times and was most likely one of the numerous hillside farmhouses scattered in the area during the Angevin-Aragonese period. At the beginning of the 17th century, the area of ​​Vico Equense was chosen for the erection of a Camaldolese monastery and in 1604 the complex was built thanks to the generosity of Matteo di Capua, prince of Conca and feudal lord of Vico Equense, who donated the necessary land , and of Cesare Zaffarano who made a large bequest in favor of the Camaldolese. Twelve cells were built for the monks and two guesthouses, one of which was of considerable size and value for its majolica kitchen. Furthermore, a double wall was built on which two turrets stood out. It was inhabited by hermits until 1807, when Giuseppe Bonaparte, then king of Naples, suppressed the religious orders and confiscated their goods. In 1815, after the defeat against Austria, Gioacchino Murat took refuge there for a few days. The complex was therefore part of the royal sites until 1822, when it was purchased by Duke Luigi Giusso, a Genoese banker, who planted an experimental production there for the kingdom: sericulture. It had an excellent start, but after a few decades it had to be abandoned, following an epidemic that decimated the silkworms and eliminated this type of breeding from the Sorrento peninsula. The Duke therefore renounced his innovative intentions and transformed the guest house into a country residence, a function he held throughout the twentieth century. Since then, the site has acquired its current name, Astapiana Villa Giusso. Various generations of the Giusso family have now taken turns and the current descendants are directly involved in the estate.