The abbey is located along the Amalfi Drive, 3 km approx from Maiori town centre.
It was founded in 973 by Benedictine Monks where they built a olive-press for olive oil production. For this reason the abbey is called "Olearia". The abbey is completely immersed in the landscape, in fact it is difficult to recognize it at the first look. The abbey is an ancient cave settlement dating back 10th century, it has been built inside the rock and later enlarged till it became a Monastry.
It is built in three piled up chapels: on the lower lever there is the most ancient Chapel, known as "Catacomb Chapel" or Crypt:. Here are the most well-preserved paintings of the complex: the "Virgin with the Saints",
there is also a painting with three figures, without the head. It seem they was Christ with S. Giovanni Baptist and S. Giovanni Evangelist. On the central apse there is Christ, dressed in white with an gold coat, with two Byzantine archangels.
A flight of steps lead to the Main Chapel: groin and barrel vaults on the ceilings and many paintings on the walls: the "Annunciation", the "Visit", the "Magi in Admiration", the "Jesus' first bath with two midwives" and other scenes from Christ life, ending with the "Crucifixion". From the terrace there is the access to St Nicola Chapel. Outside, on the façade leading to the main courtyard, you can admire a " God Hand" and two " Adoring Angels". On the Chapel apse there are three images: the "Virgin with Baby Jesus", "San Paolino" and "San Nicola", both with bishop dresses and a book in the hands. On the arch upon the apse "St Giovanni the Evangelist" and "St Giovanni the Baptist". The frescos in these two chapels are all dating back to 11th century.