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VESUVIUS
This is the only active volcano on the mainland of Europe, at
present dormant after the last disastrous eruption of 1944 when
streams of lava poured down its sides and showered Naples and
surrounding towns with pebbles and ash. Many roads lead to Vesuvius
but the easiest are those from Ercolano, Torre del Greco and Boscotrecase,
from the end of which paths lead up to the crater, from this point
the visitor has a breathtaking view of the two Gulfs of Naples
and Salerno, a sight hardly equalled in any part of the world.
HERCULANEUM
The eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. which buried the city of Pompeii
also swept over this elegant Roman town covering it with mud and
lava. Woodwork and furniture were preserved here, unlike Pompeii,
so that the finds from excavations are extremely interesting for
the information they provide regarding the art, customs and way
of life of the ancient Romans. Sculptures, paintings, vases and
other valuable objects excavated are now housed in the National
Archaeological Museum in Naples. There is a small museum on site,
as well.
ISCHIA
Of volcanic origin, Ischia is the largest island in the Gulf of
Naples. It is famous for its vegetation (vines, fruit trees, pines),
extremely mild climate and blue sea, as well as the therapeutic
value of its thermal springs.
PROCIDA
This is the smallest and, in some ways, the prettiest of the Phlegrean
Islands. There is a strong, centuries-old seafaring tradition
here, and the original character of the village center and environment
have been preserved. Its picturesque white and pink houses have
a particular charm. The Abbey Church of St. Michael is well worth
a visit.
SORRENTO
Sorrento is the most famous and most beautiful resort on the Sorrentine
peninsula. It is a traditional holiday center with quiet hotels
immersed in the green of orange groves, parks and gardens, with
walks leading to a translucent sea in a series of charming bays.
Historical and artistic sights in the town are the Cathedral,
the Sedile Dominova, and the Correale di Terranova museum, where
paintings and works of art from the 17th and 18th centuries are
exhibited. Sorrento is also a traditional center for lace work
and wood inlays.
RAVELLO
Ravello was founded by a Roman colony in the 6th century A.D.
Perched on a 350 foot high cliff overlooking the blue sea of the
Amalfi Coast, it has conserved its historical monuments through
the ages in a natural setting which has few equals in the world.
One of the most important monuments is the Cathedral, founded
in 1086, where one can admire the Ambo and the Pulpit decorated
with Byzantine mosaics, relics such as the bust of Sigilgaita
Rufolo, the splendid bronze doors by Barisano da Trani and the
museum situated in the crypt.
Villa Rufolo is the garden where Richard Wagner found his magical
garden of Klingsor for the 2nd act of "Parsifal" in
1880; it is for this reason the Wagner Festival takes place here
every year during the month of July. It is also the seat of the
European University Center for the Cultural Heritage.
AMALFI
Amalfi, originally Roman, was the first Sea Republic of Italy.
It is a quiet and picturesque seaside resort with a temperate
climate and incomparable natural beauties.
Amalfi's exquisite Duomo was built in approximately the 6th century
and is dedicated to St. Andrew the Apostle whose remains are kept
in the crypt. It's facade, brilliant with mosaics, is Oriental
in style, and its bronze doors were the first to appear in Italy
during the 11th century.
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