Amalfi

Amalfi was the first of the four Sea Republics, from the chronological point of view, which in turn commercially and military dominated the Mediterranean Sea. The legend tells that the town derives its name from its founders, Roman colonisers coming from the Village of Melphi. The first historical data however, date back to the 6^th century BC., when the town appeared to be a Byzantine possession. 

When the Byzantine power declined, Amalfi had to face a new, terrible enemy: the Saracens, Arab mercenary troops who had taken part in the war against Sicardus and had from then on settled themselves in various resorts in Campania, living above all by naval raids and piracy. This caused the growth of the Amalfi and Sorrento fleets, which took advantage of that situation and increased their independence from Naples. However, in spite of so many encounters, the Arabs never succeed in conquering Amalfi, whose port was very protected.

Worth seeing:

• The Cathedral – Dedicated to Sant’Andrea where all his relics are preserved in the crypt. You can admire the magnificent façade full of sparkling mosaics in oriental
style and the famous bronze door. Pantaleone Comite – a noble from Amalfi offered to his town these bronze doors, fused during the 11th century in Costantinopoli
where he was based as the leader of the Imperial Army.
Visiting times: 9.00 am – 6.00 pm

• Chiostro del Paradiso – Next to the cathedral, built during the 13th century in arabic style, preciously preserves ancient sarcophagi, carved marbles and fine mosaics.
Visiting times: 9.00 am – 6.00 pm


• Antichi Arsenali of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi – dated back to the 9th century, in memory of a powerful sea trade republic.
Visiting times: 10.00 am – 8.00 pm


• Salone Morelli – Palazzo San Benedetto – Town Hall - Piazza S.Spirito, 1. You can admire the fourteen canvases by Domenico Morelli, reproduced in mosaic on
the front of the Cathedral, the famous and only existing copy of the “Tabula de Amalpha” and the Arabic-Byzantine costumes of the historical race.
Visiting times: 9.00 am – 4.00 pm


• Museo della carta – Via delle Cartiere, 23. Founded by Nicola Milano, famous descendant of a family from Amalfi with a long tradition of making paper. This museum is based on the old paper mill dating back to the 16th century or perhaps to the 13th. In the paper mill museum there are still old tools for making paper by hand as wood hammer moved by a hydraulic wheel, which beat and crush the linen, cotton and hemp previously collected in the hard stone basins.
Visiting times: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm

• Grotta dello Smeraldo (Emerald grotto) – it is located in the enchanting bay of Conca dei Marini – 4 km far from Amalfi, accessible from the main road (SS 163) by lift, steps or by sea. Originally the grotto lied above sea level then a long and slow natural process of water dripping created different sizes of stalactites and stalagmites. Inside, at 4 metres under sea level, you can
find the Vietri pottery statues representing the nativity scene.
Visiting times: 9.00 am – 4.00 pm

Restaurants:
• Lido Azzurro – Lungomare dei Cavalieri – Monday closed – Tel. 089 871384
• La Caravella – Via Matteo Camera, 12 – Tuesday closed – Tel. 089 871029

Typical Trattorias:
• Da Gemma – Via Fra’ Gerardo Sasso, 10 – Tuesday closed – Tel. 089 871345