Ravello and Amalfi Coast
Ravello |
Amalfi | Positano | Capri
Ravello
Perched on a 350 ft high cliff overlooking the deep blue sea of the Amalfi coast,
Ravello has conserved it's historical monuments the ages in a natural setting which
has few equals in the world.
It was settled by Romans fleeing the sack of their dying empire, leaving behind
the ruins of their once splendid villas. The town itself was founded in the 9th
century, under Amalfi's rule, until residents prosperous from cotton tussled with
the superpower republic and elected their own doge in the 11th century, Amalfitans
dubbed them rebelli (rebels). In the 12th century, they even succeeded in resisting
the Pisa's army for a couple of years. Ravello's skilled seafaring trade with merchants
and Moors from Sicily led to a burgeoning wealth, which peaked in the 13th century,
when there were 13 churches, four cloisters and dozens of sumptuous villas. Neapolitan
princes built palaces; life was privalidged.
But as is inevitable with all supernovas, Ravello's bright light diminished, first
through Pisa's maritime rise in the 14th century, then through rivalry between the
families in the 15th century. When the plague cast it's shadow in the 17th century,
the population plummeted from upwards of 30,000 to maybe a couple of thousand souls,
where it remains today.
Despite the decline of its power and populace, Ravello's cultural heritage and special
loveliness continued to blossom. Gardens flowered and music flowed in the ruined
villas, and artists, sophisticates, and their lovers filled the crumbling palazzos.
Grieg, Wagner, D.H.Lawrence, Chanel, Garbo and companion, Conductor Leopold Stokowski,
and then, slowly, tourists followed in their footsteps.
With Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, complete the list of monuments
which can be visited as one strolls along the streets and alleyways of this enchanting
town: the Duomo devoted to the Vergin, with the mosaic pulpit of Bartolomeo
da Foggia and the iron doors of Barsian da Trani. In the major Chapel are
preserved the blood of Saint Pantaleone, that does liquefy on the 27th of July of
every year.
The church of San Giovanni del Toro, with its pulpit in mosaic by
Alfano da Termoli; the churches of Santa Maria a Gradillo and Santissima Annunziata,
Villa Episcopio, where King Vittorio Emanuele III signed his abdication in
favour of his son Umberto II and where Jacqueline Kennedy also stayed on a memorable
holiday and the cloister of the 13th century convent of St. Francesco with
his library.
The mountains behind Ravello are extremely amazing: a Walk in the mountains of down
to Minori or Atrani is a different way of spending a day. We suggest you a few ones:
the reception will be pleased to give you some more information and detailed maps.