Hewn out of the rock, between the slopes of the Lattari mountains and the sea, the picturesque alleyways of Amalfi tell of the fortune and glory of this once powerful Maritime Republic, while the inland valleys and famous coast offer views of wonderful natural beauty.
Day 1
Civic Museum and Alleyways of the Historical Centre
Arrival at Amalfi and transfer to the hotel. Visit to the town, including the ancient monastery of Benedictine nuns which now houses the town hall and the civic museum where the Navigation Rules of the City of Amalfi, the famous Tabula Civitatis Malphae (among the first codes of maritime law). Displayed on the walls of the main reception room are Domenico Morelli’s preliminary sketches for the mosaics on the façade of the Cathedral. In the historical centre, the squares and characteristic alleyways bear witness to the glorious past of the Maritime Republic. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
2
The Cathedral Buildings and the Valle dei Mulini
After breakfast, visit to the cathedral buildings consisting of two basilicas: the smaller one dedicated to the Crucifix and dating from the 6th century, its nave now part of the Cloisters of Paradise, and the larger basilica dedicated to St. Andrew, erected in the 9th century and rebuilt in the 18th century. After it collapsed in 1861, the atrium and façade were rebuilt in a style recalling the Norman architecture of Campania and decorated with Domenico Morelli’s mosaics. There is a magnificent bronze doorway embossed in silver that was cast in Constantinople in 1066. The bell tower, with its characteristic yellow and black tiles, was built between the 12th and 13th century, restored in the 18th century and then restored again without its Baroque additions in 1934. The newly opened Diocesan Museum nearby,
contains a rich hoard of treasures. In the afternoon, visit to the Valle dei Mulini, admired by 19th- century artists and writers who were entranced by its natural beauty: it is located inland from Amalfi and its torrents and cascades fed the paper mills of the Maritime Republic. Since 1973, it is the only complete Nature Reserve along the Amalfi Coast. The ancient factories of Amalfi paper, which was already in production in the middle ages, remind us of what was once the most precious treasure of the Maritime Republic, a paper of rare purity due to the limpid waters. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
3
Along the Coast to the Emerald Grotto
Breakfast then proceed to the port of Amalfi to board a boat for a short cruise along the coast and a visit to the Emerald Grotto, in the enchanting bay of Conca dei Marini, which was discovered by accident by a fisherman in 1932. The precious green gem is evoked by the coloured light, reflected between water and roof, stalagmites and stalactites. Departure as planned.
