5 things not to miss in Minori
About 15 kilometers from our boutique hotel is Minori, a small but delightful town that has been considered a holiday destination since ancient times. It is nicknamed the “Narcissus of the Coast” for the particularity of its territory and the fertility of its land. The town also owes its fame to the historic production of pasta, in particular its specialty, ndunderi, a sort of fresh gnocchi obtained from a mixture of flour and ricotta, which is believed to be the oldest of Italian pastas.
What to see and do in Minori? Here are 5 unmissable things!
The Roman Maritime Villa
The jewel in the crown of Minori is the Roman Maritime Villa, which dates back to its original phase, to the Julio-Claudian era, with monumentalisation interventions in the Severan age. Discovered around 1930, it allows you to get an idea of the splendor of the patrician holiday residences before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The best preserved rooms of the building are those on the lower level, around the garden. On the upper floor, however, a small antiquarium of moderate interest has been set up, which collects finds from the excavation but also from other villas in the area, including a collection of amphorae dating back to between the 6th century BC and the 6th century AD.
The Basilica of Santa Trofimena
Among the things not to be missed in Minori we cannot fail to mention the Basilica of Santa Trofimena, the main religious building in the town, whose current appearance is due to the reconstruction begun in the 18th century. The importance of the church is linked to the presence of the relics of Santa Trofimena, kept in the crypt located in the area below the presbytery. The saint, protector of the town and Patron Saint of the ancient Duchy of Amalfi, is celebrated on three dates: 13 July, 5 November and 27 November. Inside the church there are various works of art, among which the altarpiece of the Crucifixion stands out, a painting dating back to the 16th century and widely attributed to Marco Pino da Siena.
The rural village of Torre
The characteristic rural village of Torre, a small hamlet of Minori, is absolutely worth a visit. Immersed in tranquility, it extends on the southern hill of the town, on which the so-called Torricella is located, the famous summer residence of the Marquis Mezzacapo. The town is characterized by scattered houses surrounded by lemon groves built with the ancient dry stone wall technique. Among the things to see in the village are: the Parish Church of San Michele Arcangelo, whose foundation date is uncertain but certainly before 936, where interesting wall paintings can be admired; and the bell tower of the Church of Santa Maria dell’Annunziata, visible from all over the town.
The Lemon Path
If you are passionate about walking in the open air you cannot miss the so-called Sentiero dei Limoni, a fascinating route that connects Minori to Maiori. Before the construction of the Amalfi state road 163 (SS 163), it was the only connection between the two towns. The path, accessible to everyone (including children), starts from Via Lama, right in the center of Minori, and ends in Piazza Monsignor Nicola Milo in Maiori, behind the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria a Mare. It is so called because it crosses one of the most important realities of the cultivation of the Amalfi Coast Lemon PGI, also known as Sfusato Amalfitano due to its characteristic tapered shape.
The Sal De Riso Pastry Shop
Finally, it is worth making a refreshment stop in the Sal De Riso pastry shop, managed directly by the famous pastry chef from Minori, who, thanks to his innate talent, has won several prizes and obtained important international recognition. Crossing the threshold of this pastry shop means starting a sensorial journey through the flavors and aromas of the Amalfi Coast. Among its specialities, those based on lemon stand out: the delight, the profiteroles and the limoncello babas. In addition to desserts, you can find ice cream, preserves, liqueurs and savory foods.
