RAVELLO, ITS AUTHOR'S NOTES AND ITS TERRACES ON BEAUTY

If you are willing to spend an unforgettable day, walking is no doubt the best way to discover Ravello. The charming lanes of this village will lead you to the main attractions. Treat yourselves to tempting typical shops’ windows and, why not? Go shopping! It will certainly be difficult to resist the colorful ceramics, the wonderful souvenirs, such as plates and other objects, sold in the many artisans’ workshops of family tradition. You can also stop and enjoy a good plate of scialatielli, taste the catch of the day or take home typical products such as limoncello.

For your Ravello tour, I suggest a visit to Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone. These are famous all over the world and are also one of the VIPs’ favourite destinations, who choose to spend their holidays in this slice of heaven.

The Duomo, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta and San Pantaleone, is also worth a visit. It is located in the city center and is a mixture of two styles, modified several times over time: Romanesque and Baroque. While not particularly striking from the outside, it is full of surprises on the inside. Inspired by the model of the abbey of Montecassino, its fascinating architecture is composed of a precious bronze door, counting 80 figurative panels on it, and of a sumptuous chapel, dedicated to the patron saint of the city: San Pantaleone.
The real masterpiece, however, is the pulpit: spiral columns, stone lions, and stunning mosaics all together create an incredible and charming set of shapes and colors.
Inside the seventeenth-century chapel of the three naves church, there are the relics and the blood vial of San Pantaleone. Here too, as in nearby Naples, it is possible to witness the liquefaction miracle of the saint's blood, on July 27th. 

Its two museums are also worth a visit: the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo di Ravello, dedicated to ancient sculptures, stone materials, relics, and ancient Roman cinerary urns, and the Pinacoteca d'arte medievale e moderna, which exhibits the most valuable paintings taken from different churches in the area. 

If you have some more spare time I can suggest some unusual spots, which will leave you breathless for sure! 

Let's start the tour from Ravello’s historic center, whose ateliers and galleries remind us a little of the landscapes of Provencal France. From here we move to via Wagner, which leads us to the discovery of an evocative view that stretches along via San Giovanni del Toro, framed by sweet-smelling trees and flowers. Along this ancient street, you will come across some of the most beautiful noble buildings in the area, which have now been transformed into luxurious hotels, such as Villa Fraulo, Palazzo Avino, Hotel Caruso, Hotel Palumbo. These ancient buildings stand out for their greatness and adorn the street with fantastic colors, creating a picturesque atmosphere. Along this path, you will also find the gardens of the Municipality of Ravello and the Church of San Giovanni del Toro.

One last piece of advice is to go and visit the small hanging garden inaugurated by Marie José of Belgium, wife of Umberto di Savoia, the last sovereign of Italy: the Belvedere Principessa di Piemonte, near the Hotel Palumbo. This is a Panoramic terrace decorated with vines and arches, where you are also likely to bump into a friendly cat. Take a moment, relax in the greenery of this park full of flowers and trees. Sit on a bench, and enjoy the immensity right in front of you. It is definitely worth it!