Museums to visit on the Amalfi Coast
In addition to the splendid beaches and the enchanting sea, the Amalfi Coast is also famous for its immense historical and cultural heritage. There are in fact many interesting things to see and in particular it boasts a good number of museums that undoubtedly deserve to be visited.
What are the museums not to be missed on the Amalfi Coast? Let’s discover them together!
Amalfi Paper Museum
One of the most beautiful and fascinating is the Amalfi Paper Museum, a small jewel of industrial architecture set up in an ancient 13th century paper mill. Located in the Valley of the Mills, it houses the centuries-old machinery, restored and made functional, used in the paper mill to create the prestigious handmade paper, of which Amalfi was one of the major production centers in the Middle Ages. Among these we highlight: the ancient wooden hammers; the eighteenth-century presses; and the Dutch machine installed in the 18th century. There is also a gift shop, where the entire local production of handmade paper is presented together with writing accessories and many other souvenirs.
Arsenal of the Republic of Amalfi
Also in Amalfi is the Arsenal, the symbolic monument of the ancient maritime Republic of Amalfi, where ships were once built. Restored and brought back to its former glory, it constitutes a rare example of medieval architecture. Inside you can admire part of the collection of the Museum of the Compass and the Maritime Duchy, which illustrates the history of the coastal city. The collection includes artifacts, scrolls, codes, manuscripts, coins, nautical instruments and period costumes. Among the most precious pieces stands out the Tabula de Amalpha, the maritime trade code in force in the Mediterranean until the sixteenth century. The Arsenale also hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events.
Coral Museum in Ravello
Extraordinary and unique in its kind is the Coral Museum in Ravello, which is based at the Camo company, where this precious treasure of the sea is handcrafted. It was founded in 1986 by Giorgio Filocamo, a coral expert of Sicilian-Campanian origin who decided to preserve the exceptional wealth of ancient and valuable objects handed down to him by his family. The museum brings together a wonderful collection of refined coral artefacts made over a period of time ranging from Roman times to the 20th century, as well as a rich collection of cameos, mother-of-pearl and shells engraved by local artisans. Among these stands out a Christ on a crystal cross, dating back to the 17th century.
MAR Positano – Roman Archaeological Museum
Archeology enthusiasts cannot miss the MAR Positano – Roman Archaeological Museum, which mainly consists of the excavation of the large Roman villa from the 1st century AD. located under the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, a stone’s throw from the Marina Grande beach. It is a classic “maritime” villa, very similar to those on Capri and the numerous ones scattered along the coast. The visit route allows the visitor to admire the luxurious triclinium with the cycle of Roman frescoes referable to the so-called IV Pompeian style, the upper crypt from the Middle Ages and various archaeological finds discovered during the excavation campaigns, including jugs, cups and vases.
Museum of Sacred Art “Don Clemente Confalone” in Maiori
Finally, the “Don Clemente Confalone” Museum of Sacred Art, set up in the crypt of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria a Mare in Maiori, is also worth a visit. Inaugurated in 2000, it allows you to experience an unusual itinerary to discover the sacred and the beautiful. Inside there is an extraordinary collection of works that offer precise indications about the “sensus fidei” of the Maiorese people. The most precious piece is the alabaster frontal, dating back to the 15th century and of English origin, which represents the main mysteries of the Christian faith. Among the other works we note: a reliquary casket depicting the “Legend of Mattabruna”; and an altar cross, the work of Gaetano Simioli.
