Paths
For trekking lovers, there are many interesting paths, marked by the Italian Alpine
Club, including the "Path of the Raven nests" (CAI 27) from which, crossing
along the Caves of Biscotto and Santa Barbara, you can reach the stunning "Path
of the Gods".
For further information visit www.giovis.com
Amalfi
Amalfi was the first Marine Republic of Italy. After the fall of the Roman Empire,
it was the first city to re-establish trade between East and West by importing exotic
merchandise including carpets, paper and coffee.
It was the birthplace of Flavio Gioia, the inventor of the mariners' compass who
gave navigators the famous maritime law known as "Tabula de Amalpha". Amalfi funded
a magnificent hospital in Jerusalem. In 1112, Frà Gerardo Sasso di Scala, born in
the neighbouring eponymous little town, gave the citizens of Amalfi the military
and religious order which still exists today, "I cavalieri di Malta" (The Knights
of Malta). Before settling on this name, the order had been known as "I cavalieri
di San Giovanni", "I cavalieri di Cipro" and "I cavalieri di Rodi". Many battles
were fought between the Cavalieri and the Saracens and in 849, they were called
upon to defend Rome and the Church in the famous battle of Ostia. Today, Amalfi
is a peaceful, picturesque seaside town, blessed with a mild climate and set in
an environment of outstanding natural beauty. Just some of the many noteworthy buildings
of historical interest are the Duomo, the Arsenal and the old paper mills that still
to this day produce the luxurious paper famous throughout the world.
Capri
Capri (derived from the Greek "Kapros", wild boar, its shape reminiscent of a reclining
boar) with its spectacular limestone cliff scenery is located off the furthermost
tip of the Sorrentine peninsula. It was known by the Latins as "Capraea" and "Insula
Sirenussae", by Homer as "Antheomoessa", and by Augustus as "Apragopolis". These
names and terms of endearment reflecting both the sweetness and ruggedness of the
terrain have been bestowed throughout the centuries upon the island in an attempt
to capture the island's charm and unique beauty. This small island, with a perimeter
of 17 kms, is almost totally made up of limestone cliffs, its craggy outcrops moulded
over thousands of years by the earth's movement. Monte Solano with an altitude of
589 metres is the highest peak.
Napoli
Napoli is situated at the very heart of the Mediterranean, lying at the foot of
Mount Vesuvio. The city covers an area of approximately 117 square kilometres and
has a population of over one million. Renowned for its eventful and colourful history,
art that transcends time and its inherent beauty, the city offers a life style enriched
by a vast cultural patrimony. The city was founded between the 6th and 7th centuries
BC with a dual function: not only was it an important port, it was primarily a holiday
resort for patrician families. The city is adorned with beautiful churches, monuments,
palaces, castles, theatres, parks and a mesmerising skyline and landscape. Its proximity
to all the most beautiful tourist spots including Sorrento, Capri, Ischia, Positano
and Amalfi makes it an excellent point of departure for all visitors.
Paestum
The ancient city in the southern region of Lucania, was a colony of the Greek city
of Sybaris. The city's original name was Poseidonia and its story has always been
shrouded in myth. In the 6th century BC, Paestum and the whole of Magna Grecia flourished.
Unlike Pompeii and Herculaneum, the city was abandoned, its temples of white marble
standing proud against dusky brown hills and deep blue seas are the only surviving
ancient Greek ruins in mainland Italy today. It was most likely founded in 650 BC
by the Doriani after their expulsion from the exclusive city of Sybaris on the Ionian
Sea. They called their new colony Poseidonia. Flourishing rapidly, it soon became
the largest city of the Gulf of Salerno. The city of Sybaris was destroyed in 510
BC, resulting in a decline in power and prestige and in 390 BC Poseidonia fell into
the hands of the Lucani, a tribe of local barbarians.
Pompei
The small town of Pompei just a few kilometres from Naples, rises up from the foot
of Vesuvius. It is widely believed that the 20,000 inhabitants of this Roman town
held Mount Vesuvius in veneration and regarded their fertile volcanic soil as a
gift from the gods. Life was peaceful until the morning of 24 August 79 AD, when
many townspeople lost their lives as Mount Vesuvius erupted. Pompeii was completely
razed to the ground as indeed were many of its neighbouring towns. Nature's warnings
signaling the imminent catastrophe went unheeded: seventeen years earlier, a major
earthquake had devastated the surrounding area, decimating dwellings, temples and
statues and killing many people in its path.
Positano
is the most westerly town on the Amalfi Coast. The town looking as though it is
standing on tip toes, nestles against the craggy rock face plunging towards the
sea, its cluster of colourful houses reaching skywards.
There are many theories as to how the town acquired its name. The best known is
the legend of journey of the painting of the Virgin Mary, carried through stormy
seas and now housed in the Chiesa Madre.
As the sailors were drawing closer to the beach of Positano, they heard between
the crashing of stormy waves a crystal clear voice repeating "Posa ... Posa...".
As they came ashore, bearing the painting of the Madonna, the storm miraculously
subsided. According to history however, the name Positano comes from Paestum. Its
inhabitants, fleeing from Saracen raids in 915 AD found refuge on the land of the
Benedictine Abbey of San Vito, where, situated high above, are the hamlets of Nocelle
and Montepertuso.
Ravello
Ravello is located in a splendid position on the spur that divides the Valley of
the Dragon and the Valle della Regina, was probably founded in the 4th Century BC
by Romans fleeing the barbarians. Situated at the highest point of the Amalfi Coast,
it boasts staggeringly beautiful panoramas, such as the views from Villa Cimbrone,
known as the Terrace of Infinity (Terrazzo dell" Infinità ). Once part of the Amalfi
Republic, it was for many years a prosperous town, but rebelled when the people
of Amalfi betrayed the Norman King Roberto Guiscardo in 1081 by electing their own
Doge. Ravello would have no part in this rebellion led by Amalfi and as a consequence
the name Rebello was conferred upon it by the townspeople of Amalfi, its present
name a derivation of this. Ravello was granted independence from Amalfi by Pope
Victor III; he built a bishop's palace and in 1086 it was chosen as the location
for an Episcopal seat. It subsequently became a flourishing centre for the textile
industry. After the pillage by the Pisans in 1137, a period of slow economic decline
ensued which recovered in the last century when the town became the favourite holiday
resort of great artists and intellectuals hailing from all over Europe. Wagner,
Longfellow and many others stayed at length in Ravello, all enchanted by its special
allure. The reclusive Greta Garbo found refuge in Ravello during the 30's, much
to the fascination of the world at large.
Sorrento
was most likely founded by the Greeks. The Etruscans and more significantly the
Oschi, both Italic peoples, were early settlers. During the Roman Empire it was
known as Surrentum and is to this day remembered for its role in the insurgence
by the Italic peoples in 90 A.D. It subsequently became the seat of government of
the Menenia tribe and a bishopric in 420 A.D. At the onset of the decline of the
Bizantine Empire in Italy, Sorrento became part of the Duchy of Naples and subsequently
the Duchy of the local gentry who took part in wars with Amalfi, Salerno and the
Saracens.
Sorrento, with other towns of Campania, fought battles against Muslims, the Longobards
from Benevento, and was involved in the many skirmishes between the local gentry.