Sorrento is a city that will make you fall in love thanks to its narrow alleys. It also has numerous viewpoints, which captivate every visitor with an astonishing view of the Gulf.
WHAT TO SEE IN SORRENTO
Sorrento, the birthplace of the writer Torquato Tasso, stands out for its quiet and organized atmosphere.
- PIAZZA TASSO: The Aragonese Castle once stood here, built by Ferdinand of Aragon in the 15th century and demolished at the end of the 19th century. The square is overlooked by important buildings such as the church of Santa Maria del Carmine, Correale House and the refined Grand Hotel Vittoria.
- COMPLEX OF SAN FRANCESCO: The convent complex of San Francesco is made up of the cloister, the monastery and the church built in the 14th century by the Franciscan friars. Right next to the church is the Cloister of San Francesco, built in the 14th century.
- MUNICIPAL VILLA: Built at the end of the 19th century, the Municipal Villa of Sorrento is identified as one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the city. Starting from here you can reach Marina Piccola and the port of Sorrento in a few minutes.
- SORRENTO CATHEDRAL: The Cathedral of Sorrento is located in the historic city center and originally dates back to the 1st century AD. The original elements dating back to the 15th century are the marble side portal, the work of the Redeemer from 1522 and the archbishop’s throne.
- BASILICA DI SANT’ANTONINO ABATE: it is dedicated to Sant’Antonino, patron saint of the city. The religious building seems to date back to around the year 1000. Over the years, the church was the subject of various restoration works up to the current structure.
- SEDIL DOMINOVA: it is an ancient noble seat built between 1200 and 1300, which housed a part of the city’s aristocracy and was the place in charge of managing the “res publica”. You can still admire a splendid marble balustrade with two tuff coats of arms dating back to the 14th century on the main facade.
Visiting the excavations of Pompeii allows you to take a trip back in time and admire the city as it appeared to the ancient inhabitants just before the catastrophe.
- THE FORUM: Fulcrum of the commercial activities of the city, political, religious and cultural heart, the forum housed workshops of artisans, spas and political and administrative buildings. Overlooking the square we find three temples: the Temple of Apollo, the Temple of Venus and the Temple of Jupiter.
- THE AMPHITHEATER: It dates back to 80 BC It had a capacity of 20,000 spectators and was the place where you could watch the battles between gladiators.
- FAUNO’S HOUSE: is one of the oldest and most majestic houses in the city. The house is so called due to the presence of a small bronze statuette representing Faun. Most likely the domus belonged to a noble Roman family who had luxurious rooms built.
- THE LARGE THEATER AND THE SMALL THEATER: These are two Pompeian theaters dating back to a period between the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. and which could accommodate approximately 5000 and 1300 spectators respectively. The theaters were located in the district of the city dedicated to leisure and entertainment.
- GARDEN OF FUGITIVES: Originally this was an ancient city district that housed a vineyard and which took the name of ‘Orto dei Fuggiaschi’ only after its discovery. You can see the plaster casts of some Pompeian men and women as they tried to save themselves from the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 BC.
- VILLA OF THE MYSTERIES: Built in the 2nd century BC in a panoramic position a few steps from the sea. On three long walls there was an extraordinary pictorial cycle depicting a mystery rite, hence the name ” Villa of the Mysteries ”.
Thanks to its historical, artistic and architectural heritage, the Amalfi Coast has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
WHAT TO SEE ON THE AMALFI COAST
Known as the Divine, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of coast on the Italian peninsula. Click here to see the points of interest on the map of the Amalfi Coast.
- POSITANO: Among its alleys there are shops, art galleries, craftsmen and tailors who, thanks to their skills, are able to create unique products.
The Church of Santa Maria dell’Assunta is considered one of the symbols of Positano and its dome stands out among the houses thanks to the yellow and green tiles that compose it.
MAR (Roman Archaeological Museum): recently, under the Church of Santa Maria Teresa dell’Assunta, the remains of a Roman villa were found that had been buried by ash during the famous eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The Saracen Towers were built during the sixteenth century as defensive towers. The most famous in Positano are Torre Campanella, Torre Sponda, Torre Trasita and Torre Fornillo.
- AMALFI: the city that gives its name to the whole coast, is a place with a unique historical and architectural heritage.
The Cathedral is a complex that dates back to the 9th century and includes the annexed Basilica del Crocifisso, the Crypt of Sant’Andrea and the famous Cloister of the Paradise.
The production of paper by hand is a very old tradition in Amalfi whose history can be traced back to the Amalfi Paper Museum.
Emerald Grotto: it is a rocky inlet overlooking the sea. Discovered by chance in 1932 by a local fisherman, this cave reveals itself as a truly fairytale-like place.
Atrani is characterized by an intertwining of alleys, stairways, buildings leaning against each other and it is the smallest city in Italy.
- RAVELLO: During the nineteenth century, the city became a destination for intellectuals and artists, and is home to ancient villas with splendid gardens and terraces that offer a wonderful view of the Gulf. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are worth visiting.
- VIETRI SUL MARE: It is the last village on the Amalfi Coast. The city is very famous because it is the home of ceramic processing and decoration. The ceramic industry was started in the late Renaissance, thanks to the Sanseverino princes and has always been a symbol of the city ever since.
Capri Island is a truly suggestive location that has become famous all over the world for its splendor and includes two municipalities: Capri and Anacapri.
WHAT TO SEE IN CAPRI
Capri is an island that has magnificent places and scenery, so here are some tips for a unique experience.
- LA PIAZZETTA: Very famous all over the world and an excellent vantage point to admire part of the island from above.
- VILLA JOVIS: Villa Jovis is one of the villas that Emperor Tiberius had built on Capri and where he retired to escape the city. Today only the ruins remain, which can be visited to enjoy a piece of history and a truly incredible view of the sea and the island.
- SOLARO MOUNT: The highest part of Capri, from where you can see the whole island, is Monte Solaro. To reach the Monte you can opt for two solutions:
- On foot: from Anacapri, following the marked path for 1 hour uphill;
- By chairlift: from Anacapri, in about 10 minutes.
- ANACAPRI: In addition to the streets adorned with flowers, in Anacapri the peculiar Red House stands out with its different architectural styles and the two churches of San Michele and Santa Sofia.
- VILLA SAN MICHELE: The private villa of the German doctor Axel Munthe is located where a Roman villa once stood, in the most panoramic point of Capri. Inside the Villa San Michele there are very important Roman finds, such as the head of Medusa which was located at the temple of Venus in Rome.
- I FARAGLIONI: The Faraglioni are one of the symbols of Capri: they are three large rocky boulders about 100 meters high that emerge from the blue of the waters and can only be reached by boat. The boats pass under the Faraglione di Mezzo, where lovers usually kiss each other because legend has it that it brings good luck.
- BLUE GROTTO: The cave was already known at the time of the ancient Romans and much appreciated by the Emperor Tiberius. Admission to the inside of the cave is subject to a fee and to visit it you have to get on a small rowboat that slides through the small entrance arch.