Self Excursions in ITALY

Amalfi
The Amalfi Coast, Italy (Costiera Amalfitana or the so called "la Divina Costiera") is the mountainous spectacular coastline on the Sorrento peninsula between Sorrento and Salerno, dotted with small picturesque villages such as Positano, Praiano, Amalfi and Ravello, stacked on rocky cliffs on the the Sea, connected by a romantic coastal narrow serpentine road with dramatic and breathtaking scenery. Amalfi was a powerful Maritime Republic and preserves now entirely the beauty of its nature and its churcies and monuments.
SITE MAPCONTACT USUSEFUL LINKSSELF GUIDED EXCURSIONS

Accomodation search:

LUXURY:
High quality selection of villas and apartments rental for your holiday in Italy
Villas with pool, apartments in farmhouse with pool and apartments downtown

Apartments in Rome hystorical centre and Villas in the Roman Countryside

Apartments in Venice and villas in the countryside
back to the self guided excursions in Italy Amalfi / Capri / Caserta / Erculaneum / Formia / Gaeta / Ischia / Montecassino / Naples / Pompeii / Ponza &/ Ventotene island / Sorrento / Vesuvius / Vietri

AMALFI


Do it yourself tour

HISTORY

It may not look it today, but Amalfi was once a powerful maritime republic with a population of 70,000. That was in the 11th century, when it was already trading with the Middle East and later provided transportation to the Holy Land for the Crusaders. Conquered by the Normans and then the Pisans, most of the town was destroyed by the sea in 1343. It is now a popular resort, and a very lovely one at that.
From the bus stop by the beach it is only a few minutes

SITES TO SEE

Be sure to visit the Byzantine Cathedral of Sant' Andrea ( Duomo), founded in the 9th century but rebuilt in the 13th. It's reached by climbing steep steps and is marked by its black and white facade and its mosaics. Its hours are 07,00 to 13,30 and 15,00 to 20,00.
Reached by a broad flight of steps from the Piazza del Duomo, just one block inland, it is famous for its fabulous Cloisters of Paradise ( Chiostro del Paradise), entered from the left side of the porch, originally a necropolis for members of the Amalfitan establishment.
This graveyard dates from the 1200s and contains the broken columns and statues, as well as sarcophagi, of a long-gone civilization. This is open from 09,00 to 13,30 and 15,00 to 20,00.
Near this is the Town Hall (Municipio), where you can see the original Tavole Amalfitane, a local 11th century set of maritime laws that governed all Mediterranean shipping until 1570. For your most scenic walk in Amalfi, start at Piazza del Duomo and head up via Geneva. This stroll will take you to the Valle dei Mulini ( the Valley of the Mills), so called because of the paper mills along its rocky reaches.The seafaring republic is said to have acquainted Italy with the use of paper. You'll pass by fragrant gardens and scented citrus groves. And for the biggest attraction of all, head west to the Emerald Grotta (Grotta dello Smeraldo). This ancient cavern, known for its light effects, is a millennia-old chamber of stalagmites and stalactites. Its hours are 09,00 to 17,00 March and April; 08,30 to 18,00 May through September, and 10,00 to 16,00 October through February.
Beyond this, you will find many other hidden corners to poke around in, or perhaps just sit down at a cafe.

Bargain:new
SPECIAL OFFERS TODAY. Book your discounted or last minute villa or apartment in Italy

Transport:
How much does it cost?:
Weather:
Get here to know your destination's monthly average measurements:
Temperatures and precipitations

When in Italy:
the Italian sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List
addresses and phones
new
Aggiorna il tuo calendario
oppure
proponici la tua casa

TESTIMONIALS :
To improuve our site please let us know your comments and suggestions
...what our Guests think of us..
FREE DOWNLOAD:
Download and print our New Year wall calendar
Send us pictures from your Italian holiday and we will publish it