Maiori
This charming town is located on the Gulf of Salerno, at the mouth of the Tramonti Valley, 60 km from Naples. The town, immersed in lush greenery, stretches along picturesque beaches and azure sea waters. According to history, the city was founded by the Etruscans, and got its name from the mountain river Regina Maior, which flows through the city, which also gave its name to its main street – Corso Reginna. In the Middle Ages, Maiori was quite an important port, it housed the admiralty, arsenal and customs. By the 20th century, the city had already become an exquisite seaside resort. Major became especially famous after the famous director Roberto Rossellini shot several films here. Today, annually in October, the city hosts the Roberto Rossellini Award Film Festival, opened by Isabella Rossellini in memory of the meeting place of her parents Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman. Young Italian filmmakers present their work at the festival. Other highlights in Maiori include the enchanting carnival held in March, followed by the Settimana Santa (Holy Week) in April, featuring the torchlight procession of the Via Crucis.
Maiori has preserved medieval churches and ancient towers. At the top of the hill Torina rises the Church of Santa Maria a Mare (Santa Maria a Mare), built in the XII century and decorated with colorful majolica. On the hill of Pontechier, the castle of St. Nicholas (S. Nicola de Thoro-Plano) built in 1400 is located. Of interest is also the monastery of the Dominican Order with a church built in 1660. The monastery complex of Santa Maria de Olearia (St. Maria de Olearia) is a unique monument of the 10th century, located in an ancient rock.
Maiori offers excellent conditions for recreation – beautiful modern hotels and villas, beautiful beaches, a lively festive atmosphere, cafes and restaurants where you can taste national and local dishes, including the signature dessert – “aubergine with chocolate” and the signature local liqueur Concerto.
Ravello
“Ravello is closer to the sky than to the sea.”
André Gide
In a charming corner of the Amalfi Coast, on the majestic cliffs of Lattari, towering above the sparkling emerald-blue expanse of the Mediterranean Sea, at an altitude of 350 m, an extraordinary city spreads with a terrace – Ravello. A city associated with great names. He was glorified by Giovanni Boccaccio in the famous “Decameron” – in the famous short story about Landolfo Ruffolo. Richard Wagner, who frequented Ravello, portrayed the city in his opera Parsifal as the enchanted garden of the wizard Klingsor. English artist William Turner depicted wonderful local landscapes in his paintings, stored in London’s Tate Gallery. And an ancient legend, which is still told to the guests of Ravello to this day, says that the breathtaking view that opens from the terraces of Ravello was implied in the chapter of the Gospel of Luke, which tells how the devil, tempting Jesus, took him to a high mountain and showed him “to him all the kingdoms of the universe in a moment of time.” The beauty of these landscapes is really fantastic – it seems that the sea merges with the sky, and you can touch them with your hand…
Ravello, founded by noble patricians in the 6th century, has been a favorite place of residence and recreation for wealthy people throughout its history. Magnificent villas – some of which have been turned into no less magnificent hotels, historical and architectural monuments have survived here to this day. One of the main attractions and symbol of Ravello is the wonderful Villa Rufolo (Villa Rufolo) Villa Rufolo, located in the city center and overlooking the Cathedral Square. A magnificent three-story villa of the 13th century, built in the Romanesque style with Arabic elements, is adorned with a 30-meter tower. There is also a chapel, as well as an old terrace, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea. The main cathedral of Ravello is a cathedral in the central square, built in 1271. The Church of San Pantaleone of the 11th century is a combination of Baroque, Byzantine and Arabic styles, and inside the cathedral there is a unique collection of ancient paintings. Two more famous Ravello villas are the cliff-top Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rondinaia (the former property of the Hollywood actor Gor Vidal), surrounded by marvelous old gardens and terraces, which also offer impressive panoramic views. The villas have been visited by many celebrities, and inside the villas you can see unique art collections, historical interiors and artifacts. Of interest are the church of San Giovanni del Toro, built in the 10th century and located on the top of Mount Toro, the Gothic church of San Francesco with a chapel and a monastery, the Romanesque church and monastery of the 13th century Santa Chiara. You can also visit the Coral Museum, which presents a collection of corals from different eras. And, of course, Ravello is famous for its Richard Wagner Music Festival, founded in 1953 and dedicated to symphonic music and the work of the great composer.
Ravello is a fashionable resort where world celebrities loved and love to relax: Wagner and Grieg, Tennessee Williams and Andre Gide, Greta Garbo and Winston Churchill, Graham Greene, Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein and many others. And this is not surprising – the magical beauty of Ravello’s nature is combined with a serene, almost idyllic atmosphere and sincere Italian hospitality.
