Ravello
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 26 September 2023
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The hill town of Ravello is situated within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Amalfi Coast in the southern Italian region of Campania. Along with the seaside towns of Positano and Amalfi, Ravello makes up the holy trinity of must-see towns in the area.
Not only does it offer breathtaking panoramas from its two famous gardens, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, it also has a lovely village centre with Piazza Duomo and the Duomo (cathedral) itself as its centrepiece. Ravello's narrow, pedestrianised streets are lined with shops and there is no shortage of elegant cafes and restaurants. |
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Glamorous Ravello
The stunning hilltop location is especially welcome during the hot summer months for visitors to the coastal towns below such as Amalfi which is a short bus ride away. Ravello has a distinct air of glamour and as such is a popular location for wedding ceremonies. Ravello is also famous for its annual festivals which are held at the Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer, a beautiful, landmark building whose modern curves blend in beautifully with its historic surroundings.
The stunning hilltop location is especially welcome during the hot summer months for visitors to the coastal towns below such as Amalfi which is a short bus ride away. Ravello has a distinct air of glamour and as such is a popular location for wedding ceremonies. Ravello is also famous for its annual festivals which are held at the Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer, a beautiful, landmark building whose modern curves blend in beautifully with its historic surroundings.
Villa Rufolo
It is however, Ravello's gardens and incredible panoramas that can be enjoyed from them, that really give the town its sparkle. The first of those gardens, Villa Rufolo, is situated just off Piazza Duomo and accessed via an historic tower that stands guard at the entrance of the villa complex. The star attraction of the garden is a large rectangular area which serves as a balcony looking out on to the glorious features of the Amalfi Coast. Before those views, the garden's manicured flowerbeds of radiant colours catch the eye as the magnificent vista takes shape in front of you.
It is however, Ravello's gardens and incredible panoramas that can be enjoyed from them, that really give the town its sparkle. The first of those gardens, Villa Rufolo, is situated just off Piazza Duomo and accessed via an historic tower that stands guard at the entrance of the villa complex. The star attraction of the garden is a large rectangular area which serves as a balcony looking out on to the glorious features of the Amalfi Coast. Before those views, the garden's manicured flowerbeds of radiant colours catch the eye as the magnificent vista takes shape in front of you.
Villa Cimbrone
Away from Villa Rufolo, the narrow, winding streets of Ravello eventually bring you to a second garden: Villa Cimbrone. In a similar way to when you might know a song but not who it's by, you'll probably have seen photos of this garden without hearing its name. Before deciding to visit the Amalfi Coast you'll have no doubt seen various images, and for sure, some of those will have been of Villa Cimbrone's Terrace of Infinity where its busts look down on vertigo-inducing landscapes of the coastline below.
Away from Villa Rufolo, the narrow, winding streets of Ravello eventually bring you to a second garden: Villa Cimbrone. In a similar way to when you might know a song but not who it's by, you'll probably have seen photos of this garden without hearing its name. Before deciding to visit the Amalfi Coast you'll have no doubt seen various images, and for sure, some of those will have been of Villa Cimbrone's Terrace of Infinity where its busts look down on vertigo-inducing landscapes of the coastline below.
Piazza Duomo
Ravello's two gardens are obligatory stops for any visit to the town, along with the obvious charms of Piazza Duomo, the Duomo itself and the streets that surround it. Depending on your energy levels, length of time available or desire for exploration, there is another part of the town to discover. To the left of the Cathedral (as you face it), an oleander-tree-lined stair case leads up the hill, and from the top you get a different perspective of the town and the central piazza. This slightly quieter area is a mixture of residential abodes, gardens and some luxury hotels which offer their own magnificent views of the Amalfi Coast's distant shoreline.
Ravello's two gardens are obligatory stops for any visit to the town, along with the obvious charms of Piazza Duomo, the Duomo itself and the streets that surround it. Depending on your energy levels, length of time available or desire for exploration, there is another part of the town to discover. To the left of the Cathedral (as you face it), an oleander-tree-lined stair case leads up the hill, and from the top you get a different perspective of the town and the central piazza. This slightly quieter area is a mixture of residential abodes, gardens and some luxury hotels which offer their own magnificent views of the Amalfi Coast's distant shoreline.
Making your way up to Ravello
The geographical position of Ravello is such that it can sometimes cause confusion; perhaps it's not so much its position that causes that confusion as its perception. Being named among the three most important towns along the Amalfi Coast would give the impression that it's on the coast itself but it's important to reinforce the point that it isn't. Even looking at a map suggests it's by the sea but to reach the town you need to drive inland and uphill for around five kilometres if coming from Amalfi down below.
The Google map will tell you the journey should take around 15 minutes but it doesn't perhaps factor in the twisty, narrow nature of the road which often requires some careful manoeuvring if a bus or lorry is coming the other way. There is a good car park on arrival in the town, accessed via some steps that lead down from Piazza Duomo. It's a modern car park with a barrier where you take a ticket on entry and pay at the end. Just be aware, during the busiest months of summer this car park fills up very quickly and there are those that may just prefer to pay the extra for a taxi.
The geographical position of Ravello is such that it can sometimes cause confusion; perhaps it's not so much its position that causes that confusion as its perception. Being named among the three most important towns along the Amalfi Coast would give the impression that it's on the coast itself but it's important to reinforce the point that it isn't. Even looking at a map suggests it's by the sea but to reach the town you need to drive inland and uphill for around five kilometres if coming from Amalfi down below.
The Google map will tell you the journey should take around 15 minutes but it doesn't perhaps factor in the twisty, narrow nature of the road which often requires some careful manoeuvring if a bus or lorry is coming the other way. There is a good car park on arrival in the town, accessed via some steps that lead down from Piazza Duomo. It's a modern car park with a barrier where you take a ticket on entry and pay at the end. Just be aware, during the busiest months of summer this car park fills up very quickly and there are those that may just prefer to pay the extra for a taxi.
Comune di Ravello
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Province: Salerno
Region: Campania Population: 2,395 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Total size: 8 km² Elevation: 365 metres Highlights: Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone, Ravello Cathedral Close by: Amalfi, Atrani, Conca dei Marini, Positano, Salerno Recommended hotel: Villa Piedimonte |
