Today we decided to catch the bus to the hilltop town of Ravello, which is about a half an hour's drive south of Amalfi. Thunderstorms overnight but fine and hazy today.
Blinds down after thunderstorm last night but the sun has begun to shine.
We seem to becoming braver and fitter every day to manage the death-defying walk into Amalfi.
Rocky terrain with limited plots so there is some very creative gardening, including growing pumpkins on trellises.
We caught the bus to Ravello from the pier. Tourist central with bus lines a bit of a bunfight.
Steep road to Ravello with red lights in narrow sections, which adds considerable waiting time for the constant traffic.
Ravello is a centre for classical and lighter music performances on outdoor stages with fabulous views of the coast. Posters around the town show the fantastic range of talent experienced here.
First view of the town is the main square which seems to float above the surrounding countryside.
We visited the Villa Rufolo, which is just off the main piazza as you enter the town. It was originally built in the thirteenth century and has aspects of Arabic, Sicilian and Norman architecture. The garden pavilion and accompanying tower both are Moorish. The Arab sections appealed to me the most.
In the late 1800s a Scottish industrialist, Neville Reid, bought the property and created the romantic gardens, which are maintained today and used as a setting for the Ravello Festival.
The Moorish courtyard
The view towards Salerno revealing terraced farmland.
Limoncello factory.
A local speciality.
Gorgeous ceramic ware
Local artists
The largest villa is the Villa Cimbrone. From late Roman times this estate has been famous for its fertile soil and its strategic importance. After centuries of being in prominent native families, an Englishman, Ernest William Beckett, Lord Grimthorpe, bought it. He was travelling in Italy at the suggestion of his friends, as he was suffering depression after the death of his wife. One of his friends, Vita Sackville-West, helped to design the garden.
As in the Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone, has a combination of Moorish, Sicilian and Norman styles. Here are the cloisters.
Long pathways border the property with shaded trellis ...
And vantage points to enjoy the spectacular vistas
There is a certain reference to impending death. I'm sure the garden is a metaphor for paradise.
There are several quotes recorded. This one is by D.H. Lawrence, who was a friend of Beckett.
Richard Wagner stayed here in 1880 and said that the view from the villa was the most beautiful of all.
Wanting to avoid the crowds in the main piazza we followed a sign to Villa Amore down an alley and found a little quiet cafe with a million dollar view and Keith Jarrett piano wafting.
The menu had dishes from 6 - 10 euros. This is baked vegetables and mozzarella...and pistachio gelato for dessert.
Another dip at our swimming hole after we returned to Amalfi.
A family restaurant down the road, built into the cliff.
A simple meal of fish and steak.
M&M
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