Ravello: Where Medieval Splendor Meets Mediterranean Serenity on the Amalfi Coast
Ravello: A Beautiful Balcony on the Amalfi Coast
In the middle of the Amalfi Coast, Ravello plays out its natural role as a beautiful balcony, a natural terrace suspended between the Dragone and Regina valleys, high above Amalfi. It welcomes tourists to its narrow streets lined with lemon trees, cypresses, and Mediterranean scrub, where they can find peace and quiet and also go shopping in the beautiful handicraft and fashion shops.
A Rich History and Medieval Charm
Ravello has a long history that goes back through time, and it also has some beautiful medieval buildings. It was probably founded in the sixth century in a place safe from barbarian attacks. However, Ravello didn’t grow much until around the year 1000, when it started to stand out from the nearby seafaring power of Amalfi and shine on its own, thanks in part to the development of the art of spinning wool. Ravello has a wall, and its streets are surrounded by palaces built by wealthy people. Then, Ravello’s history had ups and downs, good times and bad times, but in the end, the magical village of the city made it through history and still gives visitors strong feelings today.
Monuments and Museums
Ravello has a lot to offer tourists, including many beautiful monuments to see and learn about.
The Duomo: A Crown Jewel
The Duomo is the undisputed crown jewel of the city center. Its facade faces Piazza del Vescovado and towers over everything else. It was built in 1086 and has a simple front. It was likely built by a Benedictine bishop named Papicio, which is why it looks like the church at the Cassino monastery. The beautiful bell tower with two floors and mullioned windows is on the right.
Chapel of San Pantaleone and Coral Museum
On the right side of the nave is a beautiful ambo from the Gospel of 1272 by Niccol di Bartolomeo da Foggia. It is based on six elegantly twisted columns that rise from the same number of marble lions. The chapel of San Pantaleone, which has a reliquary with the saint’s blood in it, and the museum in the crypt are also worth seeing. Another important museum in Ravello is the Coral Museum. It contains items made of the precious marine stone.
Villas with Stunning Views
Ravello has a lot of villas, but Villa Rufulo and Villa Cimbrone are by far the most well-known.
Villa Rufolo: A Beautiful Garden
The first one can be reached from Piazza Vescovado, where an entrance tower with an ogival arch leads to the beautiful gardens of Villa Rufolo. From the belvedere of Villa Rufolo, you can see one of the two most beautiful and refined views of the Amalfi coast, which includes the church of the Announced.
Villa Cimbrone: A Serene Retreat
The second is a little farther south and is the well-known Belvedere Cimbrone, which is at the end of the garden inside the same-named villa. At Villa Rufolo, there is a beautiful courtyard with an Arab-style loggia that looks like a cloister. At Villa Cimbrone, we point out the tea house.
Exploring the Village and Surroundings
The church of San Francesco and the convent of Santa Chiara are still standing between the two most important villas. They don’t have any important works of art, but they are worth stopping by as you stroll through the narrow streets of the village. One of the best things to do in Ravello is to go for a walk under the beautiful Campania sky, which meets the blue of the sea at the horizon. Your day will be filled with narrow streets with shops, looking through craft shops, and maybe buying a few bottles of the famous limoncello made from the many lemons in the area. If you have time before dinner, you can go to Scala, a nearby village with a beautiful Cathedral.
Ravello Festival: A Musical Extravaganza
The most important event of the year is definitely the Ravello Festival, which is one of the most important music festivals in Italy. It takes place in different parts of the village, but the best place to see concerts is still from the gardens of Villa Rufolo. The festival was first thought of in the 1950s. Today, it runs from the end of March to the beginning of September and has a wide range of programs, from classical to jazz. Don’t miss the Concerto all’Alba on the morning of August 11, which happens after you’ve spent the night at the Tears of St. Lawrence.
Getting to Ravello
There are two ways to get to Ravello. If you are coming from the Amalfi Coast, the crossroads are in the town of Strani, which is just east of Amalfi. From here, the 6.5 km to Ravello are made up of a beautiful winding road. People coming from the A3 highway between Naples and Salerno should get off at the Nocera-Pagani exit and then follow the road up to the Chiunzi pass (656 m). From here, go to the fork and head toward Amalfi. After 11.6 km, you’ll reach Ravello.
Visiting Ravello: Any Time of Year is Great
There is no best time to go to Ravello. The Amalfi Coast is a great place to visit any time of year, thanks in part to its unusually mild climate. Even in the middle of winter, the village of Campania is in a beautiful, sunny spot, and the Lattari Mountains protect it from the cold northern winds. Spring and fall have beautiful scenery and sometimes even warm weather. They are the best times to go because they are not as busy as the summer.