Posted by Amalfi is the most important town on the Amalfi coast, which is named after the town.
History Amalfi
If you see the small village with about 5.000 inhabitants today, you can hardly believe what a great history Amalfi has. In the 10th and 11th century Amalfi was one of the most important powers in today’s Italy. The city was a trading centre between Europe and the Middle East. Like Pisa, Genoa or Venice, Amalfi was one of the great republics in Italy. At its best, the Republic of Amalfi with its suburbs had 50,000 inhabitants, even some money was produced. After some lost wars against the Normans and Pisa, Amalfi lost importance at the end of the 11th century. In 1343 a tsunami destroyed Amalfi.
The history of Amalfi, Italy, dates back to the early Middle Ages. Together with Venice, Genoa and Pisa, it was one of the four maritime republics of Italy that dominated trade in the Mediterranean in the Middle Ages. Founded in the 6th century as a port city, Amalfi quickly developed into an important trading centre, especially for the export of goods such as silk and spices from the Orient.
In the 9th century, Amalfi gained independence from the Byzantine Empire and established itself as a powerful maritime republic with its own fleet and a strong navy. The city reached the peak of its prosperity in the 11th and 12th centuries, when it was the centre of art, culture and trade in Italy. In the 13th century, Amalfi’s power began to wane when it was sacked by the Saracens and later conquered by the Kingdom of Naples. Nevertheless, Amalfi continued to play an important role in trade and commerce, especially in the export of lemons and other citrus fruits, which became a staple of the local economy.
From the 19th to the 20th century, Amalfi developed into a popular tourist destination, attracting tourists from all over the world with its stunning coastline, historic buildings and rich cultural heritage. Today, Amalfi is a thriving town known for its vibrant history, stunning scenery, delicious cuisine and rich cultural heritage, including the famous Cathedral of St Andrew, the Church of St Trofimena and the Monastery of Paradise.
The historic centre of Amalfi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 in recognition of its importance as one of the most important examples of Italian medieval and early Renaissance architecture. With its beautiful coastline, vibrant history and rich cultural heritage, Amalfi remains one of Italy’s most popular destinations and visitors are invited to experience its unique blend of beauty, history and culture. The town attracts tourists from all over the world.
Day Tours Amalfi Coast: Not every tourist has a car, not everyone wants to drive on the coastal road on the Amalfi Coast. There are dozens of different tours by bus or boat. A very good overview of such day trips can be found on the website Getyourguide: Link more info and booking
Places of interest Amalfi
The famous cathedral of Amalfi dates back to the great period of the city in the 10th century. Since then it has been the centre of the city of Amalfi. It is only a few meters away from the center by the sea. A long staircase leads up to the church.
The entire old town of Amalfi is a tourist attraction. The narrow lanes, partly built steeply on the slope, impress the many tourists in Amalfi. Today the whole region lives from tourism. For many centuries Amalfi has been the most important place on the Amalfi coast, the city between Salerno and Sorrento.
Tip: There are great bus tours to the Amalfi Coast from Rome, Naples and other places. It good overview of day trips by bus to the beautiful Amalfi Coast can be found on this link.
Not to be missed in Amalfi
Amalfi is a historic Italian town known for its beautiful scenery and rich cultural heritage. Some of Amalfi’s most popular attractions are:
The Cathedral of St Andrew – Duomo di Sant’Andrea:
This impressive church is Amalfi’s most important religious building, known for its beautiful Byzantine dome and crypt containing the bones of Saint Andrew.
Church of Saint Trophimena – Basilica of Saint Trofimena:
Dedicated to the 4th century martyr Trophimena, this ancient church is known for its stunning Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.
Corridor of Paradise – Chiostro del Paradiso:
This beautiful cloister is part of the Cathedral of St Andrew and is considered one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in Italy.
Paper Museum Museo della Carta:
This fascinating museum showcases the traditional papermaking techniques of Amalfi, once a centre for the production of high quality paper.
Marina Grande:
This picturesque harbour is the main port of Amalfi and is surrounded by colourful fishing boats and fish restaurants.
Path of the Gods – Sentiero degli Dei:
This picturesque hiking trail leads along the cliffs above Amalfi and offers great views of the town and the coast.
These are just a few of the many attractions Amalfi has to offer. Whether you are interested in history, culture or natural beauty, this charming seaside town has something for everyone.
Approach Amalfi
The Amalfi Coast is a well-known steep coast. Also known throughout Europe are the legendary roads along the coast about 60 km south of Naples. The main road and only road along the coast is so narrow that in many places there is a problem with oncoming traffic. Often one of the vehicles has to drive back a few meters to get past each other. A special experience of this kind is the trip with the bus along the coast. A trip from Amalfi by bus to Salerno and Sorrento takes 1 1/4 to 2 hours, depending on the traffic. The bus drivers have a particularly hard time in the busy summer.
There are buses from Amalfi to Salerno and Sorrento along the coast. These also stop in all other places along the route. Both Salerno and Sorrento have about one bus per hour. The fares are very low, 2,40 Euro to Salerno, 2,90 Euro to Sorrento. Tickets must be bought in advance at the travel agency or tobacco shop next to the bus stop. The bus stop is centrally located by the sea. There are also buses to Ravello and other places around Amalfi.
Tip: There are great bus tours to the Amalfi Coast from Rome, Naples and other places. It good overview of day trips by bus to the beautiful Amalfi Coast can be found on this link.
You are much faster with the ferry in Salerno, these also drive frequently (about every hour). There are also ferries to Positano, in the other direction along the Amalfi coast. There are also ferries to the island of Capri and other places.
In winter there are no ferries from Amalfi, except once a day to Capri. In the above figures refer to the season from April to October
. If you have a rental car or your own, you should consider that parking on the narrow Amalfi coast is difficult and expensive.