The Amalfi Coast Top 10

Amalfi’s origins is dated back on Romans wars against barbaric populations, even if the legend tells that it was Hercules, son of Jupiter, that settled Amalfi to gave it as a present to a girl who has beautiful blue eyes the same colour of the sea. Believe or not in this legend it is a fact that this city, thanks to the sea and its geographical position, had a great development and this was due to the maritime activity. The glorious past and the beauty of the landscape made this city an important centre of attraction for tourists who come from all Europe. After a visit to the Cathedral you should have a walk in the alleys of the town where you can find interesting workshops or you can make yourself leaded by the sweet smell of local gastronomy.

The most known travellers elect Ravello as “Spirit homeland”. The charm of its landscapes, the quality of its monuments and villas ravished a lot of European artists who came here to find inspiration. The history of Ravello is directly linked to Amalfi’s one. During the period in which Amalfi was one of the four powerful Maritime Republic, Ravello reached its maximum splendour excelling in commerce. Then, after the devastation caused by the wars in XIX century, Ravello began its rise as a tourist place. Artists and intellectuals coming from all the world choose this town and made it became an elite tourist destination. Ravello has not only a fantastic landscape, when you are there don’t forget to visit: Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone and the Cathedral. All the little churches present in the city deserve a visit too.

Vietri sul mare is called the “first pearl” of the Amalfi Coast as well the ceramic capital. The tradition of the master ceramist is jealously kept and scrupulously passed to new generations. The masterpieces of this art can be admired in the Museum of ceramic of Villa Guariglia in Raito or in the Museum Cargaleiro.
But to understand how the ceramic is important for Vietri sul mare, it is enough to have a walk in the alleys of the city: even on the outer walls of the houses there are mounted beautiful tile (that also gives a characteristic look to the streets) and the church of San Giovanni Battista has a stupendous tiled dome.
If you want to bring home a piece of this ceramic art you’ll just have to choose in which workshop you want to stop.

Positano is the most impressive town on the Amalfi Coast. At first look it seems to be lounged on the mountain that overlooks the sea, therefore this city is one of the most photographed of the coast. The sea colour is crystalline and its beaches are crowded of tourists every summer. Among the several beaches of this city it must be mentioned: Marina Grande and Fornillo. But the sea, the sun, the beaches and the exceptional landscape aren’t the only reasons to go to Positano (even if for someone it could be enough…). The church of Santa Maria Teresa of the Assumption, for example, deserves a visit for its tiled dome, the Saracen towers, the little villages of Nocelle and Montepertuso which are places of an extraordinary beauty.
Positano is also known for its shops. Above all its characteristic production: the leather sandals. Indeed you can go in these little workshops (that can be found in the town alleys) and order sandals made-to-measure. But there are a lot of other characteristic shops too.
As in many places in Italy the gastronomy is important too, in Positano you can taste: Delizie al limone (soft pastry with a delicious lemon flavoured cream), the torta positanese (cake with almonds) and seafood (according to the maritime vocation of the town the seafood is very good almost everywhere).

The authenticity of Atrani is due to fact that preserves its apparences of fishing village.
It is the second smallest village of Italy and has its centre in the little place with the church of San Salvatore. The place overlooks the sea and the houses are climbed on the mountain. As you move in direction of the top of the village you can enjoy the spectacular view of all the Amalfi Coast. Atrani is a positive example of equilibrate tourist development, here you can breath a young atmosphere but always in respect of the natural inclination of the place.
This is the ideal place to spend some time far from the traffic noise and to enjoy a natural masterpiece.

Conca dei Marini is an other jewel of the Amalfi coast. It was the destination of many famous people (of the national and international scene) and it is keeper of the extraordinary Grotta dello smeraldo (the emerald cave). This cave is a cove in the coast which contains all the most spectacular colours of the nature. It seems to be made just to astonish the people who enter it.
Over that natural wonders Conca dei Marini has an interesting architectural patrimony too. The celebrated Convento di Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa Nunnery) where the famous “sfogliatelle” were invented, the church of Sant’Antonio da Padova, with its beautiful tiled dome and the Torre Costiera (Coast Tower) also called “The silent tower” because it was a cemetery.

Among the mountains, hidden on the Amalfi Coast there’s the little town of Furore. This place, divided between the austerity of the stone and the fluidity of the water, keeps a secret: a fjord. On one side the fjord and on the other the Tyrrhenian Sea. Furore with its crystalline sea and its village that seems to climb the mountain. Probably it was the hard noise of the water that fell on the ground that inspired the name for this particular place: Terra Furoris (Furore means literally “fury”). The calm of the streets of Furore immerses you in a dreamy atmosphere. The stones that dive into the water, the vegetation that search for its place among the stonewalls and the sound of the shores, the houses that fight against a wild territory… Maybe paradaise it”s not so far.

The news about the foundation of Maiori are uncertain. Were it the Greeks, the Etruscan, the Latins or the Picenti the firsts settlers of the area? Well, we don’t know but we are sure that Minori is another characteristic village of the Amalfi Coast. It has the longest beach of this part of the peninsula and here among naturalistic beauties, religious constructions and gastronomical deliciousness you have the chance to immerse yourself in the splendour of this town. Walking in the streets it’s possible to see all the principals monuments: the Collegiata of S. Maria a Mare or the castle of S. Nicola de Thoro-Plano. If you prefer the seaside you can swim in a deep-blue sea or visit the caves. Among the caves of Maiori the most known are the Grotta Sulfurea and the Grotta di Pandora. Don’t forget, as in all this part of Italy, to taste the gastronomical specialities.

The Villa Marittima Romana it’s probably the principal attraction in Minori. It was built around the I century to house a noble Latin with his family during the summer holidays. In the past, Maiori was already one of the favourite destination for the rich families of the ancient Rome. The coloured alleys, the delicious scent of the citrus fruits and the beautiful nuances of the sea will make you live moments of pure relax. Besides the Villa you must not miss the Basilica di Santa Trofimena where are kept the mortal remains of the Saint Patron of the town. The art, the culture and the beautiful landscapes are recommended for the ones who loves the sea and the relax. Minori waits, ready to welcome and to host its visitors.

The name Praiano comes from “Pelagianum” (open sea) and it probably was the point where the merchants landed with their ships to effectuate commercial exchange. It was the favourite destination to the Amalfi’s Dogi who came to Praiano to pass a discreet holiday: the calm of this place is a panacea for the body and for the soul. Praiano has two characteristics: the stairways and the little votive altars. In practice stairways are everywhere (so be ready to make a continue up and down) but it’s worth doing it because the panorama is breathtaking. The little votive altars were built by the families on their properties to claim their possession to the place. Take some time to go visit the beautiful church of San Luca Evangelista, that is the fulcrum of the city, and the Torre a mare (Tower in the sea) from which you can see a beautiful panorama.