Live Your Best Lives
Italy captivated me not only for its beautiful scenery but, more importantly, for its history of the ancient Roman Empire. Before leaving for Italy, I spent over a year intensively studying the country's history, from the Italian Republic to the Roman Empire, from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance. This history captivated me deeply. After returning from my trip, I continued to read books on the subject, hoping to gain even more knowledge.
Italy, each city has its own unique charm. If you ask me how many days it takes to travel to Italy, I can't answer at all, because there are so many things to see here. The protagonist of today's article is: Amalfi Coast.
Italycheck the details
Italy, located in Southern Europe, is shaped like a boot, earning it the nickname "The Boot Country." It's renowned for its ancient civilization and art, with traces of the Roman Empire visible in every detail. The influential Renaissance also originated here. Pizza and pasta, beloved worldwide, were invented here, and the fork, a staple in Western cuisine, was also invented by Italians. Men are obsessed with Italian football, and women are fascinated by Italian fashion. Italy boasts countless historic cities and tourist attractions, not to mention Rome and the Vatican. Travelers also gravitate to romantic Verona, the miraculous water city of Venice, the splendid Tuscan landscapes of Florence and Siena, the culinary and football capital of Milan, and the enigmatic island of Sicily in the south. With mountains in the north and the sea in the south, Italy, with its diverse landscapes, undoubtedly offers a destination that meets every traveler's expectations. If this is your first stop in Europe, you'll fall in love with it.
9689 recommendations, 8262 visits
Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea
Recommendation index: ★★★★★
From afar, you can see the long steps in front of the cathedral. The black and white Amalfi Cathedral was built in the early 10th century and rebuilt twice. The long steps rise up and lead directly to the main entrance of the church. The facade is decorated with colorful paintings of Jesus and the 12 disciples, shining with gold.
The church is a fusion of architectural styles: the two-toned stonework is largely Sicilian Arab-Norman, while the pure Baroque interior is equally impressive.
In summer, from 10:00 to 17:00, you can enter the church from the adjacent Chiostro del Paradiso, which houses the tombs of the noble citizens of Almafi.
The atrium is deep and surrounded by corridors in typical Islamic double-leaf decorative style. The quiet circular corridors are filled with murals and sarcophagi, where the princes and nobles of the former Duchy of Amalfi are buried.
The interior of the church is magnificent, and the Baroque decorations add delicate beauty to the hall.
But the most precious treasures lie in the church's crypt, where the remains of Saint Andrew, Jesus' first disciple, are housed. Saint Andrew, a brother of Saint Peter, preached in Asia Minor and was crucified. He was buried in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the fall of Constantinople and its sack, believers brought his remains back to Italy for burial there.
The church's crypt is impressive at first glance, but the casket containing the remains is unfortunately not visible; it's said to be displayed only during important religious events. Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Amalfi, is depicted in sculptures and murals throughout the church, and there's also a statue of him by the fountain in the town square. This saint is easily recognizable by the slanted, X-shaped cross on his back.
There are also some collections available for viewing in the church.
Recommendation index: ★★★★★
The town of Ravello was built in the sixth century AD. Around 1000 AD, a group of nobles from the Amalfi Republic who rebelled against the then ruling authority visited here. They were attracted by Ravello's strategic location facing the sea and backed by the mountains, so they settled here.
Ravello flourished thanks to refined agriculture, increasing trade with Arabs and Byzantines, and the donation of the "Celendra" textile company to Bishop Giovanni Allegri on April 23, 1292, by Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples. In 1086, Ravello became the seat of a bishop, and over the next century, it became a center of power with a population of 30,000.
The history of Ravello is intertwined with that of Amalfi. Beginning in the Norman era, the city began to decline politically and economically, a phenomenon that became increasingly pronounced in the 17th century. After a period of economic prosperity, Ravello remains a legacy of centuries of prosperity, encompassing beautiful architecture, art, and spectacular scenery.
Next, let’s go to see the most famous villas in Ravello – Rufolo and Cimbrone.
Recommendation index: ★★★★★
The Rufolo family became one of the leading families in southern Italy in the second half of the 13th century. According to legend, they were descendants of Rutilius Rufo, a 2nd century BC politician who was the first to demand taxes from the ancient Roman army.
The earliest records of the Rufolo family in Ravello date back to the 11th century. They owned many lands in northern Ravello and had a high social status due to Giovanni Rufolo, who served as bishop of the city from 1150 until his death in 1209.
Rufolo is located on the Amalfi Coast, which is full of magnificent buildings. The sunshine and natural beauty embrace Rufolo Villa, making it as fascinating as a peach garden. Over the years, it has attracted countless musicians, artists and poets.
Operatic composer Richard I and the great Italian poet Boccaccio have repeatedly extol the beauty of Villa Rufolo in their poetry. The beauty of Villa Rufolo offers those who stay here a unique opportunity to experience an unparalleled, idyllic paradise.
Villa Rufolo was once the stronghold of the Amalfi Republic's resistance to rebellion. Its centuries-long history, complemented by the exquisite works of art it houses, and the unique architectural structure of the villa have always amazed many tourists over the years.
After years of coastal trade and cultural exchanges, Villa Rufolo was called "Little Alhambra" by German traveler Gregorovius in 1835 because of its uniqueness.
From the balcony of this courtyard, you can enjoy the stunning views of the eastern Amalfi Coast. It is said that Wagner, while visiting this place, exclaimed, "This is Parsifalu, where the mysterious courtyard of Culinguzoro lies," and based his memory on this, he composed the opera "Parsifalu."
Today, the Wagner Festival is held every July against the backdrop of this stunning scenery.
This famous composition of two domes, a big tree, and the azure Amalfi Coast is Ravello’s calling card! Isn’t it very, very exciting?
Afterwards, before sunset, we headed to our second famous villa. This one was a bit further away, requiring about a 20-minute walk. Along the way, we found ourselves in awe of the colorful ceramic gift shops selling local specialties.
There are also cafes and vineyards full of classic charm, pleasant atmosphere and beautiful views. There are signs at the entrance of restaurants advertising to tourists that "we have a great platform for viewing the Mediterranean Sea in Ravello". I really want to stop and sit down to enjoy it slowly.
Villa Cimbrone is a very exquisite villa, an Italian noble residence, dating back to the 11th century. The villa is built on the Mediterranean cliffs and has exquisite and unique gardens.
The history of Villa Cimbrone and its beautiful gardens is intertwined with the history of Ravello. According to the earliest documents dating back to the 11th century, Villa Cimbrone was built on the vast farmland that was formerly called "Cimbronium", from which the villa takes its name.
The beautiful gardens of Villa Cimbrone are filled with the most incredible flowers imaginable. Most of the gardens at Villa Cimbrone were created in 1900 by British horticulturist Vita Sackville-West.
Like the Hanbury Gardens in Ventimiglia and the Mortella Gardens on Ischia, Villa Cimbrone, consisting of the main building and gardens covering more than seven hectares, is considered one of the most classic examples of romantic Anglo-Saxon culture of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Under the influence of classical literature, the Villa Cimbrone Gardens, designed according to the ancient Roman villa, are dotted with many precious decorations from different centuries and regions, such as fountains, statues, water temples, small temples and pavilions, all of which are placed in the garden.
At that time, the Bloomsbury Group often met here, and Villa Cimbrone was their spiritual food and the best atmosphere to inspire them.
The best viewing spot is the Belvedere of Infinity, where the panoramic view was called "the most beautiful view in the world" by American writer Gore Vidal. The Amalfi Coast offers an unobstructed view of the sea.
Sentiero degli Dei
Recommendation index: ★★★★★
The Amalfi Coast's most famous hiking route, starting in the hill town of Agerola and ending in Nocelle (a section of the famous Positano), is 7.8 kilometers long and takes a little over three hours. The trail isn't difficult (by European or American standards), but the scenery is so stunning it's known as the Path of the Gods.
Take the SITA bus from Amalfi to Agerola (Bomerano), which takes about 1 hour. As you ride the bus, you can feel that you are going up from Amalfi to Bomerano, with the altitude getting higher and higher.
There are pictograms along the way; just remember the name of the route you're taking. If you're attentive, you'll notice red dots on the ground, walls, or tree trunks where the road forks. Just follow them! Along the way, you can gaze out over the Mediterranean Sea, its unique deep blue aura truly stunning.
Tips:
1. Walking the Path of the Gods from east (Bomerano) to west (Nocella) offers better views. In the morning, the sun is in the east, so starting from Bomerano is the best option. If you start in the afternoon, the advantage of starting from Nocella is that the sun won't dazzle your eyes, but the views are much worse from west to east. Furthermore, walking from Nocella to Bomerano is much more strenuous, as it's mostly uphill.
2. You must prepare a pair of comfortable shoes, preferably suitable for hiking.
3. You can bring a bottle with you, there are places to fill drinking water along the way.
Recommendation index: ★★★★★
We got off at the center of Positano, and the atmosphere immediately became commercial. It's said to be a popular holiday destination for Europeans and Americans. July and August are packed, but early October seems to be a good time, with fewer people.
Classic shot of Positano, it's very beautiful, and it actually has a bit of the feel of Cinque Terre~
