Costiera Amalfitana
The Amalfi Coast has been put on the list because it is recognized as a landscape with exceptional cultural and natural scenic values. The steep slopes of the Monti Lattari, rising from the coast, are dotted with colourful little towns.
Between 839 and around 1200 this area formed an independent republic, with its own money and laws. The Maritime Republic of Amalfi was an important trading power in the Mediterranean during those days.
The following towns are part of the WHS:
Amalfi - Atrani - Cetara - Conca dei Marini - Corbara - Furore - Maiori - Minori - Montalbino - Praiano - Positano - Ravello - Scala - Sant’Egidio - Tramonti - Vietri sul Mare.
Visit January 2005
A visit to the Amalfi Coast is a refreshment course on driving curves. In my rented Nissan Micra I followed the road from Salerno to Positano. Some of the views of the coast and the small towns are awesome, but when you're the driver you've got other things on your mind. There's another majolica church tower - but be careful, there's also another bus coming around the corner.
Highlight of my day was Ravello. This town lays a few kilometers inland. Loud traditional music sounded from the Dome square when I arrived, it could be heard all over town. A band was playing (in celebration of New Years Day, I suppose) with children singing. The people at the square sang along at the catchy tunes. I felt so happy just standing there and being able to enjoy this moment.
After a while, the driving and the lack of places to stop got the best of me. The roads also got more and more busy. To enjoy this coast more fully, it's probably best to stay in one of the towns so you can sightsee on foot. I decided to end my trip to Amalfi with a fine lunch in Majori: caprese, with fresh mozzarella.
More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery
Reviews
Graeme Ramshaw (UK/US):
 There are two things to remember about the Amalfi Coast: the first is its beauty and the second is the harrowing journey it takes to get there. Based in Sorrento, I and my girlfriend visited Positano by bus, following the coastal road with its sharp turns and perilous contours. Surviving the ride, we were greeted, in the middle of April, to a hailstorm, which significantly hindered our walk through the town. Nevertheless, we eventually reached the beach, after many cafe pit stops along the way, where we ate lunch and admired the scenery of this incredibly picturesque coastline. Time constraints forced us to cut our visit short, but even the little time spent in Positano was sufficient to grasp the splendour of the landscape and to inspire a return visit in the future. |
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Klaus Freisinger (Austria):
The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy´s most beautiful landscapes. The views of the coastline and the sea are fantastic from everywhere, and the little towns and villages have considerable charm and atmosphere. The town of Amalfi itself is very interesting as well, especially the cathedral. Some towns like Positano cater more to the rich and famous, but everybody will find a place to his liking. I agree that driving on this road is not very easy to do and requires lots of nerve and skill, but there are always public buses as well. All in all, a must-see if you are in the Naples area. |
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