A town for the soul
Far from the maddening crowd, Amalfi in Italy is more for artists, history buffs and those who are fans of quaint and peaceful getaways
Sreyashi Ghosh
One of the most historic and scenic towns along the iconic coast in Italy, Amalfi in the province of Salerno, is a hub of delicious food, rich history, and a whole lot of fun, neatly packed into one postcard-worthy town. The town starts right at the sparkling clear water’s edge with a pretty promenade going along the Mediterranean and a sizeable marina full of colourful boats and yachts with international flags attached to them. The town’s most striking structure is the Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea or Duomo di Amalfi, a cathedral dedicated to Andrew The Apostle, whose relics, too, are kept there.
The Duomo, as it is locally referred, is the religious, historic, and cultural heart of Amalfi. It looms impressively over the small Piazza del Duomo from atop 60 odd broad stairs.
Visitors often stand in awe when they first catch sight of the stunning architecture. The cathedral doubles up as a historic centre with a carefully curated walking tour and a crypt straight out of a renaissance painting. The steps of the historic church lead down to the town’s main market with several eateries cooking the freshest catch of the day, tiny ceramic showcase stores, sidewalk cafés and an unending array of souvenir shops.
Not really a party town, like many along the southern coast, Amalfi is more for the artists, history buffs, and those who are a fan of quaint and peaceful hideaways.
No visit to Amalfi would be considered complete without making one’s way through the town’s labyrinth of little lanes and alleyways for a trip to the Paper Museum in the historic Cartiera Milano. The production of handcrafted paper, which is locally known as Bambagina, is one of Amalfi’s oldest traditions and till date remains part of the town’s culture and identity.
A TRIP TO ATRANI
The smallest town in all of southern Italy, Atrani is Amalfi’s twin with a similar maze of little alleyways, narrow flights of steps, and colourful houses clinging to the rocks. A fishing village, it claims to serve some of the cheapest and the most delicious seafood on the coast.
Atrani is simply a 15 to 20 minute walk from Amalfi but for those who prefer to not walk, there are also frequent buses available to the beautiful town.