Visiting Amalfi: History, Monuments and the Charm of the Ancient Maritime Republic

Amalfi is the town that gives its name to the Amalfi Coast, the stretch of coastline that extends for over 50 km along the Gulf of Salerno and runs from Vietri sul Mare to Positano.

An ancient maritime republic rich in history and culture, Amalfi is today a tourist destination known throughout the world for its scenic and architectural beauty and, not least, for its fine cuisine.

From its small beaches to its picturesque ravines, from its stairways to the narrow streets lined with typical white houses, to its terraced gardens, Amalfi is a town waiting to be discovered – don’t forget to visit the small shops and sample the typical product of the coastal region: the Amalfi sfusato – a lemon with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status – a typical ingredient in coastal cuisine and, in particular, in Limoncello, the famous Amalfi liqueur.

Interesting facts
Legend has it that the village is a tribute that the divine Hercules wished to pay to Amalfi, the beloved nymph with eyes the colour of the sea.

What to see
Cathedral
The Amalfi Cathedral is an Arab-Norman architectural complex dating back to the 9th century, when the Maritime Republic began to establish itself as a maritime and commercial power. Dedicated to Saint Andrew the Apostle, the cathedral is situated in Piazza Duomo, where it overlooks the coastal town from the top of a picturesque staircase.

Open daily
Summer opening hours 09.00 – 21.00
Winter opening hours 10.00 – 17.00
For information: +39 089 871059

Handmade Paper Museum
The Handmade Paper Museum, in the enchanting Valle dei Mulini, is a former paper mill housing the original machinery and equipment used to produce handmade paper – the famous, finely crafted Amalfi paper – and a library containing around 3,000 texts on the origins of paper.
A visit to the Museum allows you to watch sheets of handmade paper being produced and to visit the ancient working water mills.

Opening times
From 1 March to 31 October from 10.00 to 18.30 (open all day)
From 1 November to 28 February from 10.00 to 15.30 (open all day. Closed Mondays)
For information: +39 089 8304561

Events not to be missed
Ancient Regatta
A rowing race between the main cities of the maritime republics – Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice – held every four years on the first Sunday in June.

Feast of Saint Andrew
Every year on 27 June, Amalfi celebrates the feast day of its patron saint, Saint Andrew.
For the occasion, the imposing statue of the saint is carried in procession through the streets of the town by the men of the religious congregations. Once at the beach, the statue is welcomed by the fishermen, who pay homage to ‘o viecchio’ (‘the old man’, as the saint is known) with fish and seafood, before carrying it back at a run, as a sign of strength and faith, towards the cathedral.