Positano

Tour options:Positano-Amalfi-Ravello; Pompeii-Sorrento-Positano;
Half day excursion: Positano

Laid at the southern feet of the Mounts Lattari, which protect it from the Northwinds, Positano enjoys - thanks to its favourable position - all the advantages of a mild, dry climate.Three miles away from the coast a little arcipelago rises from the sea - "Li Galli" or "Sirenuse" - composed by three islands: "Gallo Lungo", "Rotonda", "Castelluccio", which was always supposed to be the abode of the bewitching Syrians.
The origins of Positano, like those of many other towns, are lost in the mists of time, so that it is difficult to distinguish between history and legend. As it often happen in the past, myths supplied for the lack of data: one of these myths tells us that Positano was founded by Poseidon - the Latin Neptune, the god of the sea - for the sake of the nymph Pasitea, whom he loved. It is certain that Phoenicians and Greeks, travelling westwards, landed in Positano, which at that time, was inhabited by Oschi and Piceni. The Romans built near the 'great' beach a rich patrician villa, which has now been buried by gardens and by the church devoted to Our Lady of the Assumption. With the fall of the Roman Empire Positano became a part of the Republic of Amalfi, the first maritime republic, and went through flourishing period, owing to the commerce with the other countries of the Mediterranean area.


Unfortunately this period was followed by gloomy ones, particularly during the Angevin and Aragonese domination, when our village was more than once exposed to the offence of the Saracen pirates, first, and, then of the Turkmen. A legend referring to that period says that the Saracen pirates, during an incursion, sacked the main Church and brought away, among other things, the Byzantine picture of Black Virgin, which was kept in the church and is now to be found in the apse over the high altar; they had just left the shore, when a voice was heard, that said: "Posa, posa". The pirates became aware of having committed a sacrilege, repented came back ashore and restored all the ill-gotten goods. To defend themselves from the very frequent raids of the pirates the inhabitants of Positano built three guard-towers, which can still be seen today in the quarters called "Fornillo", "La Trasita", "La Sponda" and some others in the inner part of the village. In the same period the mountain villages of Montepertuso and Nocelle enlarged to harbour the inhabitants of Positano and Laurito, who feared the pirates. In 1700 there was a thriving period as it is shown by many villas in the late Baroque style, built on the East coast. The Unification of Italy forced many inhabitants of Positano, as it happened for so many other people of South Italy, to migrate to America, where fortune smiled on some of them. The tourism booming took place after the Second World War; but despite of an intense expansion our village preserve its characteristic vertical structure and its bright architecture with suggestive, panoramique corners.


Thanks to the innate sense of hospitality of its inhabitants Positano became one of the most famous tourist places all over the world. Our village is also internationally known for its clothing production: many little, but elegant boutiques, which are almost everywhere on both sides of streets and lanes, can satisfy all the requests of a cosmopolitan clientele. Its favourable position put it in the centre of a land rich of history and natural beauties.




 

The art of making ceramics is one of man's most ancient activities. The combination of earth, fire, and human workmanship has long created objects of practical and ornamental beauty.
Ceramic products have been produced in many areas and countries, but Italy has certainly always been one of the most well known for its ceramics. One of the major centers of ceramic production in Italy has been Vietri sul Mare in the Amalfi Coast, together with Positano. Ceramics produced there exited via the bay of Salerno, bound for Sicily, Calabria, and the Mediterranean watershed.
The area of the Amalfi Coast has been one in which the local earth, rich in clay and volcanic content, has been used to produce ceramics for thousands of years. It was a popular summer retreat for Ceasars in Roman times. The reflection of the local landscape in its ceramics have been valued by tourists and Ceasars alike.
During the 20th century, Vietri's neighbor, Positano, largely due to an article written by John Steinbeck for "Harper's Bazaar", became a very important tourist destination. As its tourism industry has grown, so too has its art community. Today, some of the finest ceramics are produced in the small towns that dot the landscape. The natural beauty of this area is reflected in the ceramics produced there.

 

Positano 

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