罢丑别听Costiera Amalfitana, or more simply,听in English, the听Amalfi coast, is an area of听Italy听blessed with great natural beauty and diversity.
Much of the Amalfi coast’s settements were already very much established in the Middle Ages;听the area’s landscape comprises of mountains and sea, both defining an incredibly unique coast lline, characterized by several coves and creeks, many of which can only be reached by sea. Several natural areas听have remained completely untouched by tourism or, in fact, by any human influence. The highest mountain along the coast is , which stands at an altitude of 1425 meters (4675 ft).
Throughout the centuries, the inhabitants of the听coast’s rural areas have showned great听versatility, and have adapted the land to their desired use, without interferring with the shapes of nature.听Orchards,听upland pastures and听terraced vineyards have all been听created in respect on the area’s geological and natural characteristics.听The coast is mainly known for its various cultivations on听terraced land where citrus fruits are grown, the most famous听among them听certainly being听.听Lemons 听grown here are sweet and听can be eaten as desserts even without sugar. Local cuisine makes abundant use of them听in cakes, as well as in the famous liqueur “limoncello” which is now consumed听all over the world.
The coast comprises听thirteen towns,听spreading from the Gulf of Salerno to Naples. The many听coves, cliffs and creeks along the way create an ever different and enchanting听landscape that never fails to charm all visitors.
Costiera Amalfitana Italia World Best Mediterranean Regions
Amalfi
The main town along the Amalfitan听coast is 听the one giving it its very name,听Amalfi. Today, Amalfi is an internationally renowned tourist spot because of its natural beauty. The town is also well known for its monuments and its history. Located at the feet of 听the Lattari Mountains, it is听characterized by narrow winding streets, charming staircases and white houses perched on the rocks, which gives it an unmistakably Greek allure.
AmalfiPh. Depositphoto.com/Maugli
The port of Amalfi has been an important trade center since ancient times. Amalfitan sailors were among the first to use compasses and special equipements to navigate the seas, as Amalfi was considered one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean.听听Amalfi’s own port is still very much an active spot, from which visitors can depart 听to neighboring regions and听beaches on the coast, such as the Santa Croce beach. There are many important monuments and architectural wonders in Amalfi, the most important being its Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Andrew. Its staircase听is especially noteworthy.
The cathedral in AmalfiPh. depositphoto.com/karambol
From Amalfi, one can reach听Sorrento and Capri by boat,听other well known tourist destinations of the area. 听If you have a penchant for historical tradtions, you should visit the city in June,听when the traditional听 takes place, and听participants are dressed in medieval costumes. Noteworthy is also the Festival of Lemons, another summertime tradition, which attracts culinary entusiasts from all over the world.
Amalfi is also听known for its ancient technique of making 辫补辫别谤,听which dates back to the 18th century, and that is still used today.听The paper museum, , 听showcases the history and such typically Amalfitan tradition.
Ravello
Ravello is famous all over the country and the world for its International Music Festival, the听Festival Internazionale della Musica. It听is very chic and quiet, set within an amazing landscape and before a crystal clear sea, and has known prosperity since the 11th century. One of its most noteworthy characteristics are听its belvederes 鈥搊ne of the most famous being that of the Princess of Piedmont鈥� from which beautiful views of the coast can be enjoyed.听Ravello is also known for听its exquisite villas: various famous artists like Escher, Vedova, Mir貌听and Ruskin have produced works听inspired by the town’s landscape.
Ravello, Amalfi CoastPh. depositphoto.com/atm2003
Located in the valley between the Regina and the Dragone rivers, 听along the Lattari Mountains, the silent and the peaceful atmosphere of the town has听enchanted听people for听centuries.听Historically and artistically, Ravello is rich. Its Cathedral is probably the most outstanding monument听to be visited:听built in the 12th century, it is听known for its beautiful architecture. Several villas in Ravello, as we said already, are noted for their architecture and their artistic value,听like听,听built in the 11th century and听Villa Cimbrone, loved for its amazing belvedere.
Ravello is an interesting mixture of art, culture, history and natural beauty which makes it one of the most beautiful towns along the Amalfi Coast.
Positano, Amalfi CoastPh. depositphoto.com/Maugli
Scala
Scala is located at an altitude of 360 meters above sea level (about 1181 ft) and lies at the听feet of the Lattari mountain range. It is known to be the oldest town along the coast. It is quite small, yet well听known for its beautiful orchards, oak woods and chestnut groves.
The town is surrounded by听a beautiful, hilly landscape, and is characterized by its many old staircases that lead to the orchards and the surrounding valleys. The valleys themselves听are noted for their unspoiled natural beauty, and their various rare and exotic plants and trees. The Valle delle Ferriere is known for its excellent flora and fauna. The landscape has typical Mediterranean bushes and a riot of colors and smells.
Costiera Amalfitana, Amalfi CoastPh. depositphoto.com/Maugli
The valley where Scala is located is set among rocks听covered by bushes and groves. It is crossed by the Canneto river,听which allows the growth of ferns like the 听known to be quite rare.
The Amalfi Coast is blessed with excellent natural beauty and a rare combination of history, culture and art,听听for which it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997.
Pontone viewed from Ravello, along the Amalfi CoastPh. flickr/MorBCN
Edited by Francesca Bezzone
