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5 good festivals/5 reasons to visit the Amalfi Coast off season

September 13th, 2011

Autumn in the Amalfi Coast: 5 festivals and the rediscovery of food and traditions

Autumn Colors on the Amalfi Coast in CampaniaCredits: Laura Thayer

Visit the Amalfi Coast in the autumn to experience important religious festivals and enjoy a taste of the season at autumn-themed food festivals.

The Amalfi Coast attracts visitors all summer long with its beautiful beaches and sunny Mediterranean climate. As August comes to an end and most of the summer vacationers head back home, the busy season continues on the Amalfi coast well through September and October. Milder temperatures and the warm colors of the changing season make autumn one of the most beautiful times to visit the Amalfi Coast. Along with taking in the famous views and exploring the medieval towns, you’ll also have the chance to enjoy some of these religious and seasonal festivals along the Amalfi Coast from September to November.

 

Spettacolo del’Incendio, Ravello

Fireworks display in Borgo Torello, RavelloCredits: Flickr

Each year on the third Sunday of September, one of the most spectacular firework displays takes place in the small borgo, or hamlet, or Torello located on the mountainside between Ravello and Minori on the Amalfi Coast. This splendid celebration closes the festival celebrating the Madonna Addolorata, and this year will take place on Sunday, September 18th at 9pm. The hamlet is lit up with lights outlining the buildings and the church, and the fireworks display takes place over the city against the gorgeous backdrop of the Amalfi coastline at night.

 

Festival of San Matteo, Salerno

Festival of San Matteo in SalernoCredits: Flickr

On September 21st, Salerno spills out onto the streets and the small passageways in the medieval center of the city to celebrate their patron saint San Matteo. An elaborate procession makes its way through the city before returning to the stunning Cathedral of San Matteo. After dark, a grand fireworks display lights up the Bay of Salerno as the festivities continue along the shore.

 

Festa della Castagna, Scala

Chestnut Festival on the Amalfi CoastCredits: Flickr

The mountains surrounding the charming village of Scala on the Amalfi Coast are covered with chestnut trees. Each autumn the town celebrates with a chestnut festival that takes place over one weekend in October. The weekend varies each year depending on the harvest, but the event is a fun one to catch if you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast in October. You’ll enjoy regional specialties made from locally harvested chestnuts, roasted chestnuts and fun traditional games, including a must-see donkey race through the town’s central piazza.

 

Festa della Vendemmia, Tramonti

Autumn wine festival on the Amalfi CoastCredits: Flickr

Wine lovers won’t want to miss two fun festivals dedicated to the wine harvest and wine making traditions in the town of Tramonti. Located in the mountain valley high above Maiori, Tramonti produces some of the best wines along the Amalfi Coast, and each year celebrates the Vendemmia, or harvest, in September and the wine production in November. This year’s Festa della Vendemmia will take place in the hamlet of Campinola in Tramonti on the weekend of September 24th-25th. The festival “Il Mosto Diventa Vino” from November 26th-27th in the hamlet of Gete offers another chance to discover the wine making tradition on the Amalfi Coast.

 

Festival of Sant’Andrea, Amalfi

Scene from the Festival of Sant' Andrea in AmalfiCredits: Flickr

One of the most enjoyable religious festivals on the Amalfi Coast is the Festival of Sant’Andrea in Amalfi, which takes place on June 27th and on the saint’s festival day of November 30th each year. The November festival is celebrated primarily by the Amalfitans, and it has a wonderfully local feel. As it comes at the very end of November, the celebrations bring in the Christmas season in Amalfi, with holiday decorations often arriving just in time for the festival.

Head off the tourist track and explore the Amalfi Coast during the autumn by enjoying these fun food festivals and the chance to experience the deep religious traditions of the Amalfi Coast!

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Architectural Splendors – Ten reasons to visit Campania

August 23rd, 2011

Discover ten stunning reasons to visit southern Italy’s Campania region!

Credits: Flickr

While Rome boasts the Colosseum and Venice the Doge’s Palace, the region of Campania is home to a stunning selection of architectural splendors, dating from ancient Greek times to impressive Christian cathedrals and monasteries. Historic sights, such as Pompeii, attract visitors from throughout the world. However, this is just the beginning of what there is to discover in Campania! Here is a photo tour through ten of its architectural gems – ten good reasons to visit Campania.

 

1. Pompeii

Credits: Flickr

The ancient Roman town of Pompeii was destroyed in 79 AD by a massive eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, which looms above the archaeological ruins. Walking along the cobbled streets and exploring the buildings, homes and temples offers a rare glimpse into life in ancient Rome.

 

2. Cathedral of Sant’Andrea in Amalfi

Credits: Flickr

Known as the Duomo of Amalfi, this cathedral is dedicated to Sant’Andrea (St. Andrew) and is one of the most stunning churches in southern Italy. Enjoy visiting the 13th-century Cloister of Paradise, Cathedral Museum, crypt of Sant’Andrea and the beautifully preserver Baroque interior.

 

3. Charterhouse of San Lorenzo in Padula

Credits: Flickr

The second largest charterhouse in Italy after Parma, the Carthusian monastery dedicated to San Lorenzo in Padula boasts the largest cloister in the world and stunning spiral staircase in marble.

 

4. Paestum

Credits: Flickr

One of Campania’s most evocative spots, the ruins of the ancient Greek temples in Paestum are truly a splendid sight. Wander through the ancient town and enjoy seeing some of the best preserved Greek temples in the world, before stopping in for a visit at the excellent archaeological museum.

 

5. Church of San Michele in Anacapri

Credits: Flickr

Built in the early 18th century, the church of San Michele in the town of Anacapri high atop the famous island of Capri would simply be a pretty white Baroque style church if it wasn’t for one very special feature. Step inside to discover the outstanding ceramic tile floor dating from 1761 depicting the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.

 

6. Royal Palace and Gardens of Caserta

Credits: Flickr

Built to rival the palace of Versailles in Fance, a visit to the Royal Palace and Gardens of Caserta outside Naples will make you feel like royalty for a day!

 

7. Duomo of Naples

Credits: Flickr

From its early Christian Baptistery to the Roman archaeological ruins beneath the church to the splendid chapel dedicated to the patron saint San Gennaro, the Duomo of Naples offers a fascinated glimpse into this city’s many layers of history.

 

8. Charterhouse and Museum of San Martino in Naples

Credits: Flickr

Founded in the 14th century, enjoy a sweeping view of Naples from the beautiful Charterhouse of San Martino. Now home to an excellent museum, stroll through the collections and around the Great Cloister designed by Cosimo Fanzago in the 17th century.

 

9. Arch of Trajan in Benevento

Credits: Flickr

Many travelers to Italy don’t know that the best preserved Roman triumphal arch sits in the peaceful town of Benevento in eastern Campania. There you’ll find the stunning Arch of Trajan constructed from 114 to 117 AD to honor the Emperor Trajan.

 

10. Duomo of Salerno

Credits: Flickr

Dedicated to San Matteo (St. Matthew) and home to his relics, which are preserved in a stunning crypt below the church, the Duomo of Salerno is just one of the many reasons to visit this seaside city south of the Amalfi Coast.

Di you enjoy the virtual tour through Campania architectural splendors? Do you have any suggestion for our list?

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Walking in the Steps of Roman Emperors at Capri’s Villa Jovis

July 11th, 2011

Sitting high atop the island of Capri with sweeping views over the Bay of Naples, visit the ruins of Villa Jovis

Villa Jovis, the fabled palace of Roman emperors.

Far away from the gorgeous beaches and the fashion boutique-lined streets of Capri sit the ruins of the Villa Jovis, which was once the pleasure villa for emperors of the ancient Roman Empire. The beauty of Capri captivated the Roman elite just as it does for visitors today, and at the beginning of the first century AD emperor Augustus visited the island and fell in love with its beauty. However, it is the emperor Tiberius, the successor of Augustus, who is most associated with Capri. The Roman writer Tacitus documented that were once twelve grand Roman villas scattered across the island, each one built in honor of one of the Roman gods of Olympus. Dedicated to Jovis (Jupiter), the king of the gods, the Villa Jovis was the most beautiful and regal palace of them all. The villa is set atop the second highest peak on the island, on the opposite side from the highest point of Monte Solaro.

The Villa Jovis was the favorite palace of emperor Tiberius, who lived on Capri for the last ten years of his life from 27-37 AD. Never leaving the island, he preferred instead to rule the Roman Empire from his pleasure villas on Capri. Surrounded by the intense natural beauty of Capri and the stunning views from the Villa Jovis, it is easy to understand why he never left the island! While little is left of the splendor of Tiberius’s royal haunt, it is still an incredible experience to walk among the ruins and take in the views truly fit for an emperor. Plan about 45 minutes to an hour for the uphill walk from the center of Capri Town to the Villa Jovis. If the weather is warm, bring water with you as you’ll be walking through a quiet and relatively uninhabited part of the island.

As you climb to the eastern summit of the island, you’ll spot the ruins of the Villa Jovis surrounded by a grove of pine trees. This grand villa and its gardens once covered over 7000 square meters, and a large part of the villa is open for exploration. After Tiberius’s death in 37 AD, the villa continued to be used as an imperial villa until the 2nd century AD. You’ll find a few signs throughout the ruins explaining the different areas of the villa, but the best part is to simply let your mind wander to imagine the mosaic covered floors and elaborate rooms and terraces as they once were when it was a grand roman pleasure villa.

You’ll spot many of the styles of construction characteristic of Roman architecture as you explore the Villa Jovis. Standing at the top of the villa and looking across the Bay of Naples, it’s impressive to think back to the when Tiberius would likely stand there looking toward Mt. Vesuvius and the Roman towns, such as Pompeii, that would be devastated by the massive eruption in 79 AD.

This stunning view looking toward Naples is one of the main reasons to hike up to Villa Jovis. You’ll see the mountainous tip of the Sorrento Peninsula nearby, with the Amalfi Coast on the southern side and the town of Sorrento not far away on the northern coastline. Looking down the sheer 330 meter drop to the incredibly blue sea below might just take your breath away, especially when you think that this spot is known as Il Salto di Tiberio, or Tiberius’s Leap, where it is said he once threw over people who had displeased him. Quite the frightening thought in the midst of such serene beauty!

In the Middle Ages, the ruins of the Villa Jovis were modified with the construction of a chapel dedicated to Saint Christopher and Saint Leonard. This small church appears to have been built right on top of the ruins, and today it is dedicated to Santa Maria del Soccorso. The front of the church is marked by a statue of the Madonna, which you can spot from the sea far below.

The ruins of the Villa Jovis are fascinating to explore, especially since they were built on several levels, which was unusual for the time period. After enjoying the views and walking through the passageways and corridors of the ruins, the downhill walk back to the center of Capri offers beautiful views across the island toward Monte Solaro and the port of Marina Grande. For an enjoyable hike and a walk back through the history of Capri, visit the roman ruins of the Villa Jovis!

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Photo credits: Laura Thayer

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Atrani – A Charming Village on the Amalfi Coast

July 4th, 2011

Visit the seaside village of Atrani for a peaceful escape on Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

Enjoy the charms of the Amalfi Coast in the pretty town of Atrani, just a short stroll from the popular travel destination Amalfi in southern Italy’s region of Campania.

Separated from Amalfi by a rocky mountainside dotted with medieval watchtowers, the little village of Atrani has its own unique charms to discover. Despite Atrani’s proximity to its larger and much more well-known neighbor, the residents have always maintained their own identity, traditions and even their local dialect. The village has an intimate and friendly feel, and is an ideal spot to get away from the crowds on the Amalfi Coast while being located within easy walking distance of Amalfi and a short drive from Ravello.

Atrani is situated at the base of a river valley, and its pastel colored buildings are stacked one on top of another up the side of the mountains in the traditional style of the Amalfi Coast. However, Atrani is easy to spot from sea by its two most distinctive architectural features. On one side of town the beautiful Collegiata di Santa Maria Maddalena sits overlooking the water with its yellow and green majolica tile dome and striking bell tower. The Amalfi Coast Road curves around the base of the church and runs through town on an arched bridge that was literally built across the front of the town in the mid 1800s.

One of the most striking churches on the Amalfi Coast when viewed from the sea, the Collegiata di Santa Maria Maddalena was founded in 1274. Standing in the small piazza in front of the church, you can look up to admire the 16th-century bell tower and the striking white façade, which is noted as one of the only examples of Rococo architecture on the Amalfi Coast. Inside, the nave is decorated in a lavish Baroque style. One of the best times of the year to visit the church is during the Festival of Santa Maria Maddalena celebrated in Atrani on July 22nd. The religious procession takes place through the narrow streets of Atrani down to the beach. After dark a splendid fireworks display takes place from the sea.

The heart of Atrani is the charming Piazza Umberto I, located just steps from the sea through the arches under the Amalfi Coast Road. The fountain in the piazza was constructed in 1927, and has served as the backdrop for many movies and commercials. On a summer evening, Atrani’s central piazza is one of the most peaceful and relaxing spots on the Amalfi Coast. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the outdoor seating at one of the many cafés in this pretty piazza.

Located in the Piazza Umberto I is the unusual entrance to the church of San Salvatore de Birecto. While visiting this church is not at present possible, it has an important history in the Republic of Amalfi. It was in this church in the Middle Ages that the Dukes of Amalfi were crowned, and inside there are many fine architectural works that have recently received a thorough restoration.

Of course, one of the main reasons to visit the Amalfi Coast is to enjoy the beautiful beaches, and Atrani’s do not disappoint. Located just steps from Piazza Umberto I is the small beach of Atrani, which is known for its soft black sand. This is quite the luxury to the feet compared to the pebbly beaches of the Amalfi Coast!

Just around a rocky cliff is another lovely beach called Castiglione. Accessible by a long staircase from the road, this beach offers incredible views looking up to the Collegiata di Santa Maria Maddalena. Swim out from the beach and look up at the architecture and the dramatic mountains rising up above Atrani to the town of Ravello located high above.

Atrani is absolutely romantic at night, with the lights of the village sparkling on water. Enjoy a seaside dinner, or simply stroll along the water and savor the peacefulness of this charming seaside village on the Amalfi Coast.

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Photo Credits: Laura Thayer

 

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A Stroll Through Ravello’s Villa Rufolo

June 22nd, 2011

Experience the history and beauty of Ravello on a stroll through the Villa Rufolo and its beautiful gardens.

Visit this historic villa located right in the center of Ravello, one of the most popular travel destinations on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy’s region of Campania.

Situated right in the heart of Ravello just steps from the central Piazza Duomo, the Villa Rufolo is a lovely spot to escape from the summer crowds of tourists while savoring the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. The small town of Ravello is located high in the mountains of the Amalfi Coast, with stunning views overlooking the coastline stretching toward Salerno and the beautiful blue bay. Along with the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, the Villa Rufolo boasts some of the most scenic views of the Amalfi Coast. With a convenient central location in town, the Villa Rufolo offers visitors the chance to enjoy the fine views while experiencing the local history of Ravello.

The Villa Rufolo and its beautiful gardens date back to the 13th-century, when they were built for the wealthy and prominent Rufolo family. This family held court in their extensive villa, which at one point was noted as having “more rooms than there are days in a years.” The fate of the Rufolo family, like many wealthy merchant families, followed the ups and downs of the Republic of Amalfi. As the wealth of the family declined in the late Middle Ages, the villa was sold to other families in Ravello, and over the centuries many of the fine buildings fell into a date of disrepair. The Villa Rufolo was bought in the 19th century by the wealthy Scottish industrialist Francis Neville Reid, who restored and altered much of the villa. Fortunately, there are still many elements of the striking medieval architecture still to be seen while strolling through the gardens of the Villa Rufolo.

The entrance to the Villa Rufolo is marked by a grand tower, the Torre d’Ingresso, which was built for its beauty and not for protection. The tower is Gothic in structure, and inside the domed roof you will see interlocking pointed arches. This is an architectural theme that continues throughout the Villa Rufolo, and is one of the many Arab and Sicilian influences you will see as you explore the grounds.

Continuing down a wide, tree-lined walkway, you will soon find the main buildings of the Villa that houses a beautiful cloister. In the sections of the cloister that have been partially restored to reveal their medieval splendour, the Sicilian and Arab influence is undeniable. Above the flourishes of the arches you can see what remains of a frieze of spiral columns made of terracotta.

Leaving the cloister and continuing through the gardens, you’ll soon spot the large Torre Maggiore tower. Nearly 100 feet tall (30 meters), this tower is one of the oldest surviving parts of the Villa Rufolo. Built at a time when architectural height meant power, this impressive tower indicates the prominence and wealth of the Rufolo family in the Middle Ages. As you walk through the gardens and explore the buildings from the outside, you’ll spot many architectural details dating from the original structures or incorporated into later restorations.

Not far from the Torre Maggiore is a beautiful outdoor pavilion called the Sala dei Cavalieri. This round structure would originally have been connected to the Torre Maggiore by other buildings that have collapsed over the centuries, along with its domed roof. Along the top of the Sala dei Cavalieri, you’ll see spot the theme of interlacing arches again. This beautiful outdoor pavilion in used today as one of the settings for the Ravello Festival, a music, theater and dance festival that takes place each summer in Ravello. Many small concerts take place under the soaring pine trees in this peaceful setting in the Villa Rufolo. This is an ideal setting for musical performances, as it is said that the German composer Richard Wagner was so struck by the beauty of the Villa Rufolo gardens during his visit in 1880 that he used them as the inspiration for the magical garden of Klingsor in his opera Parsifal.

Following the pretty pathways through the gardens leads you to the famous Belvedere overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Enjoy the colorful flowers and stunning views looking down the coastline toward the seaside towns of Minori and Maiori. If you visit during the summer months, you’ll find a large stage constructed on the Belvedere where the main concerts of the Ravello Festival take place. The Amalfi Coast forms a magical backdrop to performances by talented artists from around the world each summer. For 2011, the Ravello Festival will take place from July 8th to August 27th. If you visit the Amalfi Coast during this time, plan a trip to Ravello to experience the beautiful Villa Rufolo and a concert overlooking the Mediterranean Sea!

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Photo credits: Laura Thayer


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