Tag Archive for: Campania

The panoramic road along the Amalfi Coast

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Western Amalfi Coast with Positano, Campania, Italy

I’m always fascinated by cliff coasts – the combination of sea and mountains: the magnificent views, changing weather and light, opportunities for hiking, climbing, water sports, cuisine and wine… In Italy, for example, there are the Cinque Terre, Cilento or indeed the Amalfi Coast, which offers additional highlights with its romantic cultural landscapes and Mediterranean flair in picturesque towns.

Along the Amalfi Coast, a narrow panoramic road has run since the mid-19th century, offering dramatic views of the cliffs, such as here near Positano. Nestled in narrow valleys or perched on mountain ridges are towns that, thanks to their protected location and nautical skills, were a significant maritime republic under the leadership of Amalfi in the Middle Ages. From those times, numerous impressive churches and palaces can still be visited today, for example, the Cathedral in Amalfi.

Positano on the Amalfi Coast

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Positano beneath the cliffs of the Monti Lattari, Amalfi Coast, Campania, Italy

Coming from Sorrento via S.Agatha sui due Golfi, the narrow road winds up and down along the cliffs and valleys of the western Amalfi Coast, when suddenly, after a left-hand bend, the first houses of Positano appear on the mountainsides. It’s one of those typical ‘wow’ moments where you want to slam on the brakes immediately (almost inevitably causing a rear-end collision or a traffic jam). Fortunately, there’s a small car park by the road with one of those typical Italian mobile coffee vans, so you can enjoy the impressive panorama with a cappuccino or espresso. This viewpoint gives me a great overview before heading off to explore Positano on foot.

The Amalfi Coast

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Positano on the Amalfi Coast, Campania, Italy

The Amalfi Coast south of Naples begins at the Sorrento Peninsula and stretches as far as Salerno; it’s considered the epitome of a Mediterranean coastal landscape with deep blue sea, mountains and cliffs rising dramatically from the water, and little beaches or swimming spots tucked in between; villages clinging daringly to the steep slopes, vineyards, olive groves, lemon gardens, the scent of the macchia, Italian cuisine and so on. Read more

The Duomo Sant’ Andrea in Amalfi

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Duomo Sant' Andrea, Amalfi, Campania, Italy

Amalfi, the former maritime republic, gave its name to the stunning stretch of coastline from Massa Lubrense to Salerno: the Amalfi Coast. The city’s former wealth in the 10th and 11th centuries is evident in numerous magnificent buildings; the oriental influences are unmistakable. This is also true of the Duomo Sant’ Andrea (reconstructed in the 19th century), which is reached via an imposing flight of steps from Piazza Duomo – Moorish pointed arches, Byzantine decorative elements. The lively, often crowded square in front of the village forms the small town centre and is just a few metres from the harbour; immediately behind this ensemble, the town stretches up the steep mountain slopes.

Capua Vetere Amphitheatre

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Ruins of the Amphitheatre in Capua Vetere near Naples, Campania, ItalyNorth of Naples, in the province of Caserta, are the impressive remains of Italy’s second-largest amphitheatre, after the Colosseum in Rome. The structure could hold up to 50,000 people and housed one of the most famous gladiatorial schools, where Spartacus, known for his uprising, also learned his trade. Although the spectator stands and outer areas have largely been removed, the remains of the passages and shafts beneath the arena floor make for a wonderful adventure playground for children. If you’re interested in amphitheatres, a visit to the Amphitheatre in Pozzuoli, in the Phlegraean Fields, is also recommended.

Frescoes and mosaics of Herculaneum

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Mosaic from the House of Neptune and Amphitrite in Herculaneum, Campania, Italy

At the foot of Vesuvius, amidst the sprawling, less-than-picturesque modern urban sprawl of Naples’ outskirts, lie the excavations of ancient Herculaneum. Like Pompeii, the city was also destroyed during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 BC, but it was buried not by ash, but by mud. As a result, the remains of organic materials such as wood and foodstuffs have been better preserved, providing crucial insights into Roman daily life at that time. Read more