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    Ravello

    Italy

    Ravello

    CityNatureCultureCulinaryMountains

    Ravello is situated on a rocky plateau about 350 meters above the Amalfi Coast, above Atrani. This small town of around 2,300 residents is known for its villas, gardens, and panoramic terraces.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Italy
    7. Campania
    9. Ravello
    Ravello is situated on a rocky plateau about 350 meters above the Amalfi Coast, above Atrani. This small town of around 2,300 residents is known for its villas, gardens, and panoramic terraces.In the Middle Ages, Ravello belonged to the Duchy of Amalfi; merchant families like the Rufolo built their palaces here. Today, Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone, and the summer Ravello Festival define the town.

    Sights in Ravello

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Villa Rufolo

    Immerse yourself in the history and beauty of Villa Rufolo, an architectural masterpiece with a thousand-year history. Its terraced gardens are renowned for their spectacular views of the coast and sea – a sight that inspired Richard Wagner's operas. Stroll through the blooming grounds and let yourself be captivated by the magic of this place.
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    Villa Cimbrone
    Attraction

    2Villa Cimbrone

    The Englishman Ernest William Beckett bought the estate in 1904 and rebuilt it in a mix of medieval, Gothic, and Moorish styles; today, the villa is a hotel. The garden is also open to visitors, admission charged. A pergola leads to the Terrazza dell'Infinito, a marble bust-lined terrace high above the coast.
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    Duomo di Ravello

    3Duomo di Ravello

    The Cathedral on Cathedral Square was built starting in 1086 and is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary; a 17th-century chapel is dedicated to the city's patron saint, Pantaleon. Highlights include the bronze portal by Barisano da Trani from 1179 and the two medieval pulpits. The crypt houses the Cathedral Museum.
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    Villa Rufolo

    4Villa Rufolo

    The 13th-century Villa of the Rufolo merchant family is located directly on Cathedral Square. Preserved are the entrance tower, the Torre Maggiore, and a Moorish cloister. Richard Wagner visited the Villa in 1880 and saw in its garden an inspiration for Klingsor's Magic Garden in Parsifal. In summer, the lower garden hosts a stage above the sea for the concerts of the Ravello Festival.
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    Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer
    Attraction

    5Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer

    Concert hall, designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, opened in January 2010. It hosts concerts, conferences, and theater performances.
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    City walks in Ravello

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Enchanting Ravello: A Walk to Villas and Panoramas

    Discover Ravello, the pearl of the Amalfi Coast, on a walk that takes you to breathtaking villas, historic gardens and unforgettable panoramas. Immerse yourself in the calm and beauty of this picturesque mountain village, which once inspired artists and nobles. An experience for all the senses.

    ~2 Std. 30 Min.
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    Stops (5)

    Restaurants & Cafes

    1

    Rossellinis (Palazzo Avino)

    Gourmet restaurant at Hotel Palazzo Avino on Via San Giovanni del Toro, with a terrace overlooking the coast.
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    2

    Trattoria da Cumpa' Cosimo

    Trattoria and Pizzeria on Via Roma, a few steps from Piazza Vescovado.
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    Food & Drink

    The cuisine of Ravello is that of the Amalfi Coast, with lemons, fish and wine from the terraced slopes.

    Costa d'Amalfi DOC

    Wine from the steep coastal terraces; Ravello, alongside Furore and Tramonti, is one of the three subzones of the denomination of origin.

    Limone Costa d'Amalfi

    The lemons of the Amalfi Coast, also known as Sfusato Amalfitano, are PGI-protected and used for Limoncello, cakes, and ice cream.

    Scialatielli

    Short, wide ribbon noodles, which originated in Amalfi in 1978.

    History and Culture

    Ravello was founded in the 5th century as a refuge from invasions and belonged to the Duchy of Amalfi from 839. In 1086, the town became an episcopal see. Merchant families like the Rufolo built palaces; Villa Rufolo still exhibits Moorish forms today. In 1137, Ravello was devastated by Pisa and subsequently lost its importance.In the 19th century, the Scotsman Francis Neville Reid had Villa Rufolo restored. In 1880, Richard Wagner visited the villa; its garden is considered the model for Klingsor's Magic Garden in his Parsifal. Later, American writer Gore Vidal, among others, lived here.Since 1953, the Ravello Festival has taken place, which began dedicated to Wagner and today encompasses music, dance, and art.

    Getting There & Around

    You reach Ravello by SITA public buses from Amalfi; the journey over the winding mountain road takes about half an hour. Purchase tickets in advance at tobacco shops and kiosks.You explore the town on foot. During peak season, the coastal roads are heavily congested, and on certain days, the Amalfitana has a driving ban based on license plate last digit.

    Accommodations in Ravello

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    Campgrounds in Ravello

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      • 1Villa Rufolo3 days
      • 2Villa Cimbrone4 days
      • 3Duomo di Ravello5 days
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    Nearby

    Amalfi Coast

    Amalfi Coast

    The Amalfi Coast is the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula on the Gulf of Salerno, with approximately 40 kilometers of coastal road stretching between Positano and Vietri sul Mare. The mountains here drop steeply into the sea; lemon groves cling to the slopes, and densely built towns perch in the bays and on rocky promontories.The most famous are Positano, Amalfi, Atrani, and Ravello. Since 1997, the coast has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    Positano

    Positano

    Positano lies on the western Amalfi Coast, its houses climbing from the sea far up the hillside. The colorful facades, Santa Maria Assunta's majolica dome, and the main beach below define the town's image.The town has about 3,700 residents. Most routes within the town are stairs and steep alleys.
    Pompeii

    Pompeii

    Pompeii was a Roman town at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, which disappeared under four to six meters of pumice and ash during the eruption in 79 AD. It has been excavated since 1748, revealing streets, houses, workshops, temples, theaters, and baths.The archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, lies on the outskirts of the modern town of Pompei, southeast of Naples, about 35 to 40 minutes away via the Circumvesuviana.
    Sorrento

    Sorrento

    Sorrent is situated on a high tuff terrace, descending steeply towards the Gulf of Naples, overlooking Mount Vesuvius. This town of about 15,000 residents is the main hub of its namesake peninsula; travelers have been drawn here since the era of the Grand Tour.The Old Town's street network still adheres to the ancient city's grid layout. Citrus groves flourish all around. From Marina Piccola port, ships sail to Capri, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast.
    Campania

    Campania

    Campania is located in southwest Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea, with Naples as its capital. Around the Gulf of Naples, the most famous destinations cluster: Mount Vesuvius, the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the Sorrento Peninsula, and the islands of Capri, Ischia, and Procida.South of this, the Amalfi Coast stretches along with its towns built into the cliffs; further south are the Greek temples of Paestum and the Cilento National Park. Inland lie the Royal Palace of Caserta and the hills of Irpinia, known for producing the region's famous wines.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI