Positano

Photo: The beautiful town of Positano, on the Amalfi Coast, Italy.

Overview

Positano, one of the most elegant and well-known health resorts of the Amalfi Coast, lies in a sheltered position surrounded by Mounts Lattari in southern Italy less than 40 miles south of Naples. It's said that Positano was founded by the fugitives of Paestum, who had escaped from the Saracens. When the Roman Empire fell, Positano became part of the Republic of Amalfi. It lived through a period of wealth and fortune but always had to defend itself from invading pirates. Three guard towers were built at the time to defend themselves from these attacks as well as the mountain villages of Montepertuso and Nocelle being enlarged to shelter the Positano inhabitants should they have needed help.

Positano was a favourite destination of the cultural society, having regular visits paid by Bernstein, Toscanini, Rossellini, Picasso, Steinbeck and Klee. It's internationally renown for its fashion clothing production and there are endless elegant boutiques on almost every street.

Positano's greatest attractions lie in the Ancient Town and the sea-suburb where you can walk amidst the characteristic white houses with their spherical covers. At the centre of the town it's possible to see the brightly coloured dome made of majolica tiles of Santa Maria Assunta which is the main church in Positano and which houses some interesting works from the 13th and 14th centuries.

There is a useful bus circulating Positano should you get tired of walking up and down all the steps. The choice for eating is varied and wide, something for everyone, including restaurants along the beach.

During the first week September the annual Massine ballet prizes are awarded under the stars on the beach – an unforgettable and magical experience. Positano can be at perfectly enchanting over Christmas and in the winter months when almond trees are in bloom and lemon trees are heavy and bright with fruit.