Ravello Favorites

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Favorite thing: There are times when touring that you arrive at places and, perhaps because you've seen the image a hundred times before, the gloss is taken off.
Villa Rufolo is not one of those places! No matter how many times you see images it does not fail to enchant.
The first time I visited the dreaded Eurohaze (as we photographers call it) hung about the coast but the next time it was a near perfect day and we felt blessed to be in such a spot on such a day.

Fondest memory: I hope the pictures reflect that sentiment. The flowers in bloom making tracks between historic buildings is something I find enchanting and I'm sure many others feel exactly the same way.

Favorite thing: Villa Rufolo takes its name from an ancient family of Ravello, rich and powerful in the times of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi.
The villa suffered through carelessness and degradation until 1851 when the Scottish Francis Neville Reid bought it and brought it and revived its ancient splendor.
In 1880 Wagner, who stayed in the Villa for some time, remained astonished by the extraordinary glamour of the place and it was here he found the inspiration to compose the second act of the "Parsifal". From that time, the Villa continued to attract visitors and artists and personages as Jacqueline Kennedy and Hillary Clinton.

Fondest memory: The gardens of the villa set the scenery for the Ravello Festival. Performances of classic music and ballets of the highest level take place at night, with the orchestra playing on a stage hanging between the sky and the sea.

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Favorite thing: Scala is a nice small village located in the mountain in front of Ravello. The most important monument of the village is the Duomo (cathedral) which was built in the 11th century. It has got a romanesque shape and in its interior you can see fantastic sculptures like Il Crocifisso, La Vergine and San Giovanni (the Crucifixion, the Virgin and St.John) made in 1260.

Favorite thing: There's no escaping the impact of Wagner on Ravello - the street leading up from the main square is named after the composer who concertos are played in the Villa Rufolo during the summer months. Such a pretty street too, typical of Ravello with its steps and colourful blooms.

Favorite thing: The Belvedere della Principessa di Piemonte, has a stunning view - in clear weather - of the whole gulf of Salerno.
Truly a lovely spot with the gardens in the forefront - an ideal place to rest your legs a while whilst admiring the view.

Favorite thing: We reached Ravello by walking down the road from Scala and then up the stepped path to Ravello - a walk of no more than 30 minutes. The entrance to the town is by the church of S.Maria a Gradillo with its 3 naved aisle - see must see section.
Alternatively you can enter through the road tunnel (using the pathway at the side) and admire the view of the Gulf of Salerno as you exit. Turn right and then enter another short tunnel and you will be in the main square of Ravello.

Favorite thing: The Duomo - the Cathedral of S. Pantaleone was a favourite church we visited in Ravello. It was erected in 1087 A.D., by the Noble family Rufolo. It can be found in the Piazza Vescovado - you can't mis it.

Check out the must see section for more info of the interior of the duomo and what can be seen.

Favorite thing: The gardens of the Villa Cimbrone built in the twentieth century and commis­sioned by the English nobleman William Bechettare are dotted with statues, grottoes and temples. In the cloister, just on the left of the entrance, there is a bas-re­lief reproducing the seven deadly sins. The glorious view from its terrace has been coined the "Terrace of Infinity".

Villa Cimbrone: reachable from the town centre in 15 minutes' walk; the rooms have been built at the beginning of the century in neogothic style. visit time: from 9 am to sunset.