5 things to see in Positano
Located about 10 kilometers from our boutique hotel, Positano is an ancient seaside village that seems to have come out of a postcard. With its breathtaking views and panoramas it has fascinated travelers from all over the world for centuries. This is how the famous American writer John Steinbeck described it in 1953: “Positano is profoundly impressive. It is a dream place that doesn’t seem real to you while you are there but whose profound reality you feel with nostalgia when you have left it“.
What to see in Positano? Here is a list of 5 things not to be missed!
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, located in Piazza Flavio Gioia, is one of the most famous symbols of Positano. It boasts fascinating architecture and valuable works of sacred art. It was founded in the second half of the 10th century but owes its current appearance to the eighteenth-century expansion works. It is renowned for its splendid facade and spectacular majolica dome, made up of yellow, green and blue tiles. The interior, with some baroque touches, houses a Byzantine icon above the main altar, depicting a Black Madonna with the child in her lap, probably brought here in the 12th century by Benedictine monks. Also noteworthy is the altar of the Circumcision with a beautiful painting by Fabrizio Santafede, dating back to 1599.
The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie
In an elevated position compared to the town center stands the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, also called “Nuova” following the renovation in the second half of the 18th century. There is no certain information on its foundation but it is known that it was rebuilt on a previous 11th century chapel. It dominates the ancient neighborhood that takes its name and represents one of the main monuments of the Baroque period on the Amalfi Coast. Inside there are ancient paintings and a cinerary urn from the Roman sacristy dating back to the 1st century AD. The 18th century paintings that adorn the four side chapels, dedicated to S. Giuseppe, S. Alfonso de’ Liguori, S. Michele Arcangelo and S. Pietro, are very precious.
The beach of Marina Grande
The Marina Grande beach in Positano is one of the most beautiful and renowned in Italy. As the name itself suggests, it is among the most spacious beaches on the Amalfi Coast. It is an immense and enchanting expanse of dark sand and pebbles surrounded by a very fascinating scene of colorful houses. A popular destination frequented by many VIPs, it is perfect for a swim or to lie down and sunbathe but if you love tranquility it is not the right beach for you. Numerous clubs and restaurants overlook the large beach, offering the best of typical coastal cuisine.
MAR Positano – Roman Archaeological Museum
The MAR Positano – Roman Archaeological Museum is undoubtedly worth a visit, which mainly highlights the rooms of a large Roman villa buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. located under the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, a few steps from the Marina Grande beach. The noble residence, considered the most important archaeological discovery in southern Italy in recent decades, was brought to light in 2003 even though its existence had already been known for some time. The visit itinerary includes the luxurious triclinium with the cycle of Roman frescoes referable to the so-called IV Pompeian style and some underground spaces of the church above, as well as various archaeological finds of exceptional interest found during the excavation campaigns.
Li Galli Islands
In the waters in front of Positano, about three miles from the coast, there is the famous Li Galli archipelago, made up of three wonderful islets: Gallo Lugno, La Rotonda and La Castelluccia. The archipelago is an almost uncontaminated paradise, overflowing with vegetation and in which daffodils abound. According to Greek mythology, it was inhabited by sirens, who with their songs enchanted sailors in transit, causing them to shipwreck against the rocks. Unfortunately, the islands are private property and can only be visited by invitation, but it is still possible to admire them up close by taking part in one of the numerous daily excursions that depart from Positano and Praiano.
