Amalfi Things to Do

Capri was fantastic. Especially going to the private beaches. You pay a fee, but get a beach bed/chair, access to a your own changing cubicle and you can order food/drinks. The water is just so gorgeous - clear and aqua.

Almost every street hides a square, where in the past people used to sell their merchandise. Through one of this street we discover Piazza dei Dogi, once called Piazza dei Ferrari, because there were smith's shops there.

... more an architectonical complex made by two communicating churches, a crypt, a stair, an atrium, a "campanile" (bell tower) and a cloister - called "Chiostro del Paradiso".

Delicate and dominating, at the same time, it has romanesque, byzantine, gothic, and baroque elements.

The power of Amalfi is evident in the approach to the cathedral - reached by climbing steep steps ( 62 ). The cathedral -characterized by its black-and-white facade and mosaics - is dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle whose remains are kept in the crypt.
The one nave and two aisles are all richly baroque and its bronze doors, the first ones to appear in Italy, were made in Constantinople.

Located in the middle of the town, it is the perfect place to sit for a coffe or an ice cream ( try the lemon flavor... lemons are very special there ).
Excellent for recovering from climbing the steps of the Duomo...

From the 9th to the 11th century, the seafaring Republic of Amalfi rivaled the great maritime powers of Genoa and Venice. It is in fact Italy's oldest maritime republic whose ships sailed troughout the Mediterranean carrying merchandise to all the sea-ports of southern Italy, Cyprus, Egypt, Syria, Constantinople and the distant shores of Africa and Asia.
Hometown of Flavio Gioia, the inventor of the compass, Its maritime code, the Tavole Amalfitane, was followed in the Mediterranean for centuries.

... is a real must see. The city is situated at the mouth of the Valley of the Mills, with its characteristic groups of houses clinging to the rocks. The approach to Amalfi is dramatic, whether you come from Positano or from Salerno.

Is situated at the top of this large, staircase. I was feeling a bit wonky, being not good at heights anyway and having just completed the trip along the coast by bus.

The handrail was not what you would call user friendly being heaps wider than a handhold so this added somewhat to my insecurity. I did make it to the top though and stood looking away from the steps for some time trying to make a decision to pop in next door.....another part of the church that was supposed to have some really interesting stuff in it too. When my heart finally settled down I decided that it might take me some time to get down and I didn't want to miss my bus mates so.............I hugged the right hand bannister and took it one step at a time.

Next time I will just wear blinkers and grab somebody's arm.