Ravello
Discover Ravello, the City of Music on the Amalfi Coast
Ravello is a small town in the province of Salerno, located on the Amalfi Coast in Campania. With its 2381 inhabitants, this town is one of the tourist and cultural hubs of the region, and known as the "City of Music". In this article, we will discover together the beauties of Ravello, its history, and its tourist attractions.
Ravello's Physical Geography
Ravello is situated on a steep cliff at an altitude of 350m above sea level, overlooking Maiori and Minori and characterized by a wide panoramic view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno. The city is located on the plateau that divides the Dragon valley from that of the Reginna stream.
The Ravello territory, classified as zone 3 for low seismicity, is rather ventilated, thanks to its particular orography. These characteristics made it very popular as a health and stay resort during the fascist period.
Ravello's History
According to legend, the foundation of Ravello would date back to the arrival of a group of Roman nobles, who came here following the shipwreck of their own ship along the coasts of Dalmatia. However, the history of Ravello takes on documentary form only with the creation of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi in 839.
The city grew in population and prospered thanks to the art of wool and trade towards the Mediterranean Sea and Byzantium. It reached its maximum splendor in the 9th century, under the Duchy of Amalfi, and the Principality of Salerno. However, the situation changed with the beginning of the semi-independence of the Duchy of Amalfi from the Norman Kingdom between 1073 and 1131, a period in which the Normans provided continuous support to the most influential Ravello families to ensure greater control over the Amalfitan nobility.
During this period, an autonomous stratigot was appointed to govern the city of Ravello, and by the will of the Norman Ruggero Borsa, son of Robert Guiscard, Ravello became the Diocese of Ravello in 1086, directly dependent on the Holy See, still to contrast the powerful Amalfi.
At the turn of the 12th century, the city had a population of over 25,000 inhabitants and reached its maximum splendor with the rediscovery of classical culture.
Tourist Attractions in Ravello
Today, Ravello is one of the most important tourist and cultural centers of the Amalfi Coast. Among its tourist attractions, the Ravello Festival stands out, which takes place in the gardens of Villa Rufolo and the Oscar Niemeyer auditorium. The festival is an unmissable event for classical and jazz music lovers, with performances by international artists.
Don't miss a visit to Villa Rufolo, the most important monument in the city and vehicle of its history. Built in the 13th century, the villa presents numerous elements of artistic refinement, with gardens overlooking the sea and panoramic terraces offering views of the coast.
Another place to visit is the Cathedral of San Pantaleone, built in the 10th century and then restored in the 18th century. The church is an example of a Romanesque-Campanian style, where one can admire decorative elements of Norman, Moorish, and Gothic epochs.
Finally, don't miss the Church of Santa Maria a Gradillo, built between the 11th and 12th centuries, an old oratory dedicated to the apostle Peter, patron and protector of lobster.
Conclusions
In this article, we have discovered together the City of Music on the Amalfi Coast: Ravello. Its physical geography, immersed in the green of nature, its fascinating history, the tourist attractions that make it an unmissable stop for a journey through the region. If you are planning a visit to the Amalfi Coast, don't forget to stop by Ravello!
