Destination Guides: Amalfi Coast, Italy - City Information

AMALFI

“Sweet the memory is to me/Of the land beyond the sea,/ Where the waves and mountains meet; Where amid the mulberry-trees/Sits Amalfi in the heat,/ Bathing ever her white feet/In the tideless, summer seas ..."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Amalfi, 1875.

Amalfi is the largest town on this stretch of coast. This small and picturesque seaside resort, famous for its glorious history as a maritime republic, has some spectacular scenery, and great weather conditions. Anchored to the stair-stepped mountainsides are villas, gardens, convents dating from medieval times, and relics of once-omnipotent ancient Rome.

The white, pink and yellow cottages are surrounded by whitewashed courtyards and winding alleys that makes a walking tour a pleasant experience.

Amalfi also has several historical monuments that are worth visiting, such as the cathedral, the old dockyards and the old paper mills where the famous paper of Amalfi was made in the past.  The cathedral stands as glittering testament to the city's reign as a great maritime republic from the 9th to 11th centuries, when it rivalled Pisa, Genoa and Venice. Set atop a flight of 62 steps, with a a porch covered in Byzantine-style mosaic, an Arab-Norman cloister dating from 1268, and bronze doors cast in Costantinopoli , the cathedral testifies to the wealth of Amalfi while its trade flourished with Tunis, Tripoli, Algiers and many other ports to the east. The Piazza del Duomo, set with cafes and a fountain, is the heart of the city and the natural starting point for a tour.In the town's harbour you can find the Piazza Flavio Gioia. One of its sides reaches directly into the ocean. This is a lively area with age-old workshops and a chapel of St. Ann. At one of the many bars on the harbour, you can have a glass of superb wine and sample a delicious antipasto. Ships to Positano, Salerno and the island of Capri leave from this harbour. Some boats also offer to take you on a few hour-trip tour of the famous Grotta Smeralda (the green grotto).
Protected from northerly wind by the high Lattari mountains, Amalfi enjoys temperate weather year-round. Because the city faces the southern sun, you can swim from April to December. Summer brings a full slate of cultural events, including the Notte concerts on Piazza Duomo. The festival of Sant'Andrea runs from June 25 to 30. It climaxes with the oft-photographed run of the saint's reliquary bust, atop the shoulder of 10 men, up the 62 steep cathedral steps.

POSITANO

Positano is known as one of the most beautiful jewel of the Amalfi Coast.

Positano was a relatively poor fishing village during the first half of the 20th century.

It began to attract large numbers of tourists in the 1950s, especially after John Steinbeck published his essay about Positano in Harper's Bazaar in May, 1953: "Positano bites deep", Steinbeck wrote. "It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone."Its enchanting position, the beautiful houses and narrow streets give you an idea of Mediterranean harmony and charm. Beloved by artists from everywhere, it has enchanting views, shopping and strolls by the sea. Its wonderful boutiques have made Positano fashion internationally renowned.

RAVELLO

Ravello is perched on top of the mountain cliff situated above Amalfi and Minori and is being famous for its breath-taking views.

Ravello natural beauty and ancient monuments are presented at their best in the gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo. In high season, these gardens are rich in sweet secants of blooming flowers, shadows of flora and perfume of lemons.

The town has served historically as a destination for artists, musicians, and writers, including Giovanni Boccaccio, Richard Wagner, M.C. Escher, Virginia Woolf, Gore Vidal, and Sara Teasdale who mentioned it in her prefatory dedication in Love Songs, one of her many books of poems.

Every year in the summer months, the "Ravello Festival" classical concerts are held in the gardens of Villa Rufolo  in honour of Richard Wagner