''The coast between Reggio
and Gaeta is one of the most delightful in Italy. One of the most
enchanting spots of this coastline is Ravello, a town where many wealthy
men live, and Landolfo Rufolo is one of the wealthiest."by
G.Boccaccio.
As we can see from this quote from the fourth novella in the 2nd day of
the Decameron, the scenery and artistic merits of this town founded by a
Roman colony in the 6th century A.D.were already famous. Perched on a
350 metre high cliff above the blue sea of the Amalfi Coast its
historical buildings and monuments have endured time in a natural
setting which has few equals in this world.
One of the most important buildings is the Cathedral, dating from 1086.
Inside, the Ambo and the Pulpit, decorated with Byzantine polychrome
mosaics, relics such as the bust of Sigigliata Rufolo, the bronze doors
built by Baristano da Trani, and the museum in the crypt are of
particular importance.
It was in the gardens of the Villa Rufolo that Richard Wagner found his
own 'garden of Klingsor' for the second act of Parsifal on May 26th
1880. It is for this reason that the Wagner Festival takes place here
every year during the month of July. It is also the seat of the European
University's Centre for Cultural Heritage.
Villa Cimbrone, another of Ravello's gardens is famous for its
breathtaking belvedere, from which, as Gore Vidal, an honorary citizen
of Ravello, says " you can admire the most beautiful views in the
world." Other guests here have been D.H_Lawrence, author of Lady
Chatterley's Lover,and Greta Garbo, who came here with her lover Leopold
Stokowski, and whose visit is commemorated by a small inscribed plaque
at the entrance to the villa.
Other places of interest which can be visited whilst simply strolling
through the streets of Ravello are: The Church of San Giovanni del Toro
with its mosaic pulpit by Alfano from Termoli, the churches of Santa
Maria Gradillo and SS Annunziata, which has recently been restored and
is now used as a conference hall, Villa Episcopio ( once Villa Sangro)
where King Vittorio Emanuele signed his decree of abdication in favour
of his son, Umberto II and where Jaqueline Kennedy also stayed for a
memorable holiday, the Cloister in the 13th century convent of San
Francesco and Piazza Fontana Moresca..
