Destinations · Campania
Amalfi the first maritime republic
A thousand years ago, ships left this little harbour for Constantinople and the East: Amalfi was the first of Italy’s maritime republics.
A Mediterranean power
From the ninth century Amalfi was an independent republic ruled by doges, with trading colonies in Constantinople, Egypt and the Holy Land. Its maritime laws, the Tavole Amalfitane, were used across the Mediterranean for centuries.
In 1131 the city passed to the Normans, then it was sacked by the Pisans; in 1343 a violent storm surge destroyed part of it. From then on Amalfi was a village of fishermen and papermakers, until it was rediscovered by tourism in the nineteenth century.
The cathedral and the paper
The Cathedral of Sant’Andrea towers over the square from a flight of 62 steps; its crypt holds the relics of the apostle, brought from Constantinople in 1208. Next to it is the thirteenth-century Cloister of Paradise, with interlaced arches in the Arab style.
In the Valle delle Ferriere, watermills produced bambagina paper, still made by hand and explained at the Paper Museum. Since 1997 the Amalfi Coast has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Not to be missed in Amalfi
Cathedral of Sant’Andrea
The striped façade, the staircase and the crypt.
Cloister of Paradise
The thirteenth-century cloister with its Arab-style arches.
Paper Museum
An old water-powered paper mill that still works.
Valle delle Ferriere
A trail among waterfalls and ferns, above the town.
Arsenal of the Republic
Where Amalfi’s galleys were built.
Atrani
Italy’s smallest town, a few minutes away on foot.
Before you go
Via Pompeii and the Valico di Chiunzi pass, or along the coast.
On the Amalfi Coast tour it’s the lunch stop.
The feast of Sant’Andrea is in June.
Ravello is only 7 kilometres away.
The centre of Amalfi is pedestrianised and in summer the coast road is very busy: I’ll drop you near Piazza Flavio Gioia, at the entrance to the town, and we’ll meet there again.
Approximate times, without traffic.
Amalfi with a private driver, from Naples, Sorrento or the airport.
Tolls and parking are always included. Carlo checks availability and replies within 24 hours.
