Agerola - Italy

Amalfi is one of the most charming towns of Campania and of the 'whole of Italy. The highway 163 is one of the most beautiful coast of the peninsula: in the 50 kilometers that separate Positano from Vietri sul Mare through a rugged landscape, made up of towering limestone cliffs, caves, ravines and cliffs overlooking the sea. The road continues to curve to curve, and announce themselves before our eyes the breathtaking views of the coast.

Amalfi was founded in the fourth century by a group of Romans on their way to Constantinople, shipwrecked on the way, were forced to take refuge near Palinuro where they founded Melphe (why were these Melphitani). Started here in the safest place they stayed where they founded the Amalfi Coast (A-Melphes). By the sixth century the city became a dominion of the Byzantines, Soon, however, reached a degree of autonomy in the ninth century to become the oldest Maritime Republic D 'Italy. Much of the architectural splendor that is found today in the villages, churches and monuments must to 'age in which it was Amalfi Maritime Republic.

THE CATHEDRAL

The Cathedral of Amalfi, dedicated to the Patron Saint Andrea, contains a single complex character Roman, Arab, Norman and baroque, elegant and stands on top of a staircase of 57 steps. The facade of the 'building, overlooking the main square, is huge and completely covered with multicolored tiles. The original structure of the cathedral has been distorted by interventions in almost all ages. The 'original building is actually from' adjacent to the Basilica of the Crucifix, edificara in the ninth century on a pre-existing early Christian temple. This church has oggiuna large central nave, a nave affiancatada secondary on the right side, surmounted by galleries. In these environments has hosted the Diocesan Museum, which houses the treasure of cattedrele. It is accessed through the cloisters of the Paradise, in arabesque style, built in the thirteenth century as a burial place for famous Amalfi. Here a forest of columns and arches interlaced frames a small but delightful garden.

The bell keeps the 'original plan. Its construction began in 11 80 and ended in 1270: the lower levels have impostazionenormanna quadrangular, with mullioned windows, while the top cell is morescoed style is topped by a cupola maiolicana.