Amalfi Coast
It's a UNESCO "World Heritage" from 1997
Maiori & Amalfi Coast
According to tradition, Maiori was founded in an imprecise era by the Etruscan king Reghinna, who, struck by the beauty of the place, would have placed his home on a rock overlooking the wide beach and today is the headquarters of the Insigne Collegiata dedicated to Santa Maria a Mare. The village was first called Rheginna Major, because it is located in the largest valley of the Amalfi Coast, and therefore, in the course of time, only Maiori.
Yesterday as today, the Collegiata overlooks Maiori and can be defined as the symbol of its religious and civil history; in it is venerated a valuable statue of the Madonna with Child, of oriental invoice, miraculously found among the fishermen's nets in 1200, and admire various artistic works, the most important of which are kept in a special and frequented Museum.
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The "Divina Costiera"
Since 1997 the Amalfi Coast is included among the sites of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Wonderful example of Mediterranean landscape with extraordinary natural and cultural value, includes 13 countries, including Amalfi and Ravello, for a stretch of coast of 50 km bordered to the west by Positano and to the east by Vietri sul Mare.
The Amalfi coast is known for its heterogeneity: each of the towns of the Amalfi Coast has its own character and traditions.
Origins & Culture
The old center obviously has many other churches as well as noble palaces, among which we must remember first of all the Mezzacapo palace, belonging to a noble family and now owned by the Municipality, rich in frescoed rooms and embellished by a garden shaped like a Maltese cross, in memory of the Mezzacapo belonging to the Equestrian Order of the Knights of Malta. Maiori also still preserves intact part of the medieval walls and a medieval castle built on the hill of San Nicola de Thoro Plano. In fact Maiori played an important role at the time of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi and kept it even in the following centuries.
To the right and left of the beach, which in summer is populated by bathing establishments and beach umbrellas, there are two towers of the sixteenth century, of which the largest, on the eastern side, is improperly called Torre Normanna. The modern Lungomare, overlooked by palaces of recent epoch, is the ideal place to walk and to contemplate the unique landscape of the Amalfi Coast, made typical by the many terraced lemon groves, which you can visit along the many pedestrian narrow streets.
Traditions
The main occurrences of Maiori are the patron saints of the Assumption (15th August) and the third Sunday of November, the feast on the Sanctuary of the Avvocata (on the Monday after Pentecost), located in a panoramic position about a thousand meters high, and the Great Carnival, with the parade of groups and allegorical floats, as well as various recreational and cultural events that take place in the other months, especially in summer, when the country is filled with tourists, welcomed in many hotels and facilities.
Rich and tasty are Maiori's dishes, on whose table the lemon can never be missing, and its sweets are very appreciated, among which the "melenzane (aubergine) alla cioccolata", which can be tasted in mid-August on the occasion of the patronal feast.
Trekking & Trails
The Amalfi Coast is a small corner of paradise. There are numerous nature trails to follow and discover, to immerse yourself in the territory to discover the history and local traditions. Most of these routes offer breathtaking views to the visitor's view.
The most famous path is certainly the one called by the local "Sentiero degli dei" (Path of Gods), which extends from Agerola to Positano.
The territory of the island offers various possibilities for those who love nature and traditions. Highly recommended is the "Sentiero dei Limoni", which connects Maiori with the characteristic village of Torre, the territory of Minori, through a panoramic route rich in lemon groves.
Other paths to follow are those that lead to the Sanctuary of the Advocate and to the Church of St. Nicholas.
The numbers of Amalfi Coast
Towns
Beaches
Trails
Monuments