^{was founded in the 6th century A.d. by Roman colonies who arrived on the shores of the coast searching for high ground from where the could defend themselves against the aggression of their attackers, the invading Unni, Goti, Visigoti and Longobardi people.  These new inhabitants of Ravello recognised the fundamental need to trade and so sailed ships containing their merchandise (mainly cloth) to the Orient.  This proved to be very successful economically for the people of the area.  The noble families that grew up built great palaces, castles and churches, (approximately 80 in all).   Ravello, from the time it truly established itself, found rivalry from nearly Amalfi.  In fact it was probably the people of Amalfi who first named this town ‘’Rabellum’’ or ‘’Ravellum’’ both names deriving from the world ‘ribbelarsi’ which in English means ‘to rebel’.   Ravello at its most wealthy had a population of approximately 40,000,  but crisis after crisis followed in the form of internal conflict, earthquakes, pestilence and invasion from the Saracens.  Today Ravello has a population of approximately 2,300, however the wealth of history has remained.}

^{Next to the tunnel which takes us away from the main square, we can see the main tower of the Villa Rufolo, the most important monument of art and antiquity in Ravello.  This palace villa was the dwelling place of the noble Rufolo family in the 11th century.  Giovanni Boccaccio the famous Italian writer also spoke of this family and of Ravello in his book ‘’Decamerone’’.  Situated at the entrance of the Villa there is the smaller of the two towers and is moorish in it's style of architecture.  It's function in days gone by was purely ornamental and never for defence purposes.  Taking the avenue leading into the Villa, which is lined with cypress and lime trees, we come to an impressive palatial courtyard.This monument is a unique example of classical art combined with Sicilian, Arabic and Norman styles.  A little further on we can take a set of steps which will take us to the upper level of the gardens where we can observe in the nearby museum some of the relics of families that have inhabited the Villa.  Dominating the gardens is the larger of the two towers (height approx. 30m).  On 26th May 1880 the composer Richard Wagner is recorded as saying ‘’Here I have found the magic garden of Klingsor’’ (for his opera Parsifal).   Every year Ravello, in memory of his visit here, brings together famous Italian and foreign orchestras to perform in the Wagnerian Music festival.  Each orchestra assembles on a specially built platform, which extends from the lower level of these marvellous gardens and appears to be suspended over the sea far below.   The setting is truly spectacular.}

^{From Piazza Vescovado, take the small street that is situated on the corner of the Tourist Office and Via Roma.  This street is called ‘’Viale Wagner’’ after the famous composer.  Having climbed the steps for approximately 30m looking on the left we can see the front of the Municiple building (previously a private residence) constructed in the 11th century.  If we then look to the right we get a closer look at the bell-tower of the Cathedral.  At the top of the steps we join the start of ‘’Via Toro’’. On the right is ‘’Villa Di Sangro’’.  Previous home of the Episcopio family.  It is said that this Villa was a refuge for King Vittorio Emanuelle III after the armistice of 8th September 1943 on the liberation of Rome.  It is also in this Villa that the First Lady of America, Jacqueline Kennedy stayed when she visited Ravello in 1962.Opposite the entrance to the Municiple building we also find the entrance doors of the ‘’Palazzo Confalone’’ once the palace of the noble Confalone family ( cent. 1100).  We see two marble columns and on the arch above, the family coat-of-arms. A few metres further on we find the ‘’Belvedere Principessa di Piemonte’’ from where one can admire a marvellous view of the coast and also see one of the hamlets of Ravello called Torello.  It is at Torello where the Picentini people it is said, were probably the first inhabitants of Ravello.  Continuing along this road we arrive at ‘’Piazza St.Giovanni del Toro’’.   Here we find the old ‘’Afflitto Palace’’ the entrance of which is constructed from a mixture of marble fragments that are thought to come originally from the temple of St. Eustacchio in Scala, property of Sig. Afflitto who moved to Ravello in the 11th century. On the other side of the Piazza we see the church of St. Giovanni del Toro constructed in 975.Inside the church is an 11th century mosaic pulpit supported by four Egyptian columns decorated with Arabian symbols.  To get to Piazza Fontana Moresca from here we can take the road leading down the hill.  The Piazza gets its name from the fountain which is its centre-piece.  At one time the fountain was embellished with two statues, the evangelistic symbols of a lion and a bull which were stolen in an act of vandalism during the early 1970’s. (now there are two copies).  If we take the road, which continues, round the fountain and down the hill we would find ourselves heading back to the centre of Ravello.  On the way we encounter an old chapel dedicated to St. Angelo de Frezza (1216). Now deconsecrated, it was at one time used as hospice where the poor and hungry were cared for.  At the end of the church is situated on the right of the steps which take us to Via Roma.   It is from here that we can join up with the main square, Piazza Vescovado. The main square can also be accessed by passing beneath the ruins of the old castle ‘’Della Marra’’ (12th cent.)}

^{This is the historical and civic centre of Ravello.   It is also the starting point for our itinerary of visits to the most important villas and monuments in the area.  Dominating Piazza Vescovado is the Cathedral of Ravello dedicated originally to the Virgin St. Assunta and now to St. Pantaleone, Patron Saint of the town.  It was constructed in 1086 by the first Bishop of Ravello, Orso Papice.  This diocese was directly responsible to the Pope in Rome but was abolished in 1818 after a succession of 55 bishops.  The Cathedral has gone through many transformations both externally and internally and today after much restoration we are able to admire its original Romano architecture.  The bronze doors, donated by a Ravellese aristocrat in 1179 were made by Barisano da Trani. They measure 3.75m in height and 2.65m in width.The doors are made up of 54 panels symbolically representing Christian explanations of the mysteries of the life and the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his disciples.  Inside the Cathedral we can see the pulpit ( Ambone del Vangelo), a masterpiece dating from  1272 by an illustrious citizen of Ravello, Nicola Rufolo.   It is supported by six spiral columns resting on the backs six rampant lions, whilst at the side of the steps leading up to the pulpit there are mosaic panels picturing lions, dragons and birds.  Also well worth a visit is the chapel of St. Pantaleone Martire, constructed from 1643 to 1782.  It houses the gold plated copper ampulla containing the blood of the Patron Saint.  This precious liquid that all year round appears opaque and clotted, liquefies and apears transparent on the Patron Saint’s feast day (27th July), demonstrating a Miracleto the faithful!}

^{At the mouth of ‘’Via dei Rufolo’’, passing by the ruins of the large oratorio and having passed below the portico, we come to a crossroads between Via Orso Papice and Via S. Francesco.  The former takes us down towards the ‘’Sanctuary of St. Cosma and Damiano’’, the latter takes us towards Villa Cimbrone.   Taking the first set of steps on the right we come across a small chapel built in 1866.  At the foot of this chapel there is a stone which according to legend was put there by St. Francis himself in 1222.  Just a few metres further on we see the bell-tower of the church of St.Francesco and looking on the left we can admire a beautiful view of the Villa Rufolo gardens with its two impressive towers and, in the background, Monte Brusara and the blue of the sea below.   Just before the entrance to the church are two impressive columns supporting the atrium, then between the two doors of the church itself we see a memorial tablet inscribed in the 7th century after the death of St.Francis.   The tablet refers to the old church of St. Giovanni in Ponticeto (12th cent.), the basis on which the current ‘’ Friars Minor Convent’’ was founded.   On entering the smaller door to the right we go into the 12th century cloister surrounding the convent. The convent also houses a library containing antique testaments.  Through the larger doorway on the other hand, we can go into the church itself.   Looking towards the altar directly ahead we find the tomb of Beato Bonaventura da Potenza , the Saint who died in Ravello 26th October 1711.  On leaving the church and climbing the steps we are taken along Via S.Chiara which is flanked by villas and other old houses.  On the way we will come across yet more marvellous views, this time of the woods of the Villa Cimbrone and the mountainside opposite.  Further on again we encounter the ‘’Monastery of S.Chiara’’ built in 1297 the date on which Bishop Giovanni Rufolo donated the existing church to the Nuns of Ravello.}