"Southern Italy with Pompeii" Italy Travelogue by iandsmith

Italy Travel Guide: 83,440 reviews and 170,825 photos

Pompeii

From the Casa di Octavius quartio a painting of Narcissus (left) who fell in love with his image and then fell in the water and drowned while on the right is Pyramus whose lover thought he had been killed by a bee but it was a lion which is shown skulking in the background. She then killed herself with his sword and her blood caused the mulberries to be red.

Amalfi

Amalfi, with its remnants of fishing and history always visible.

Positively Positano

Sunrise

Positano, one of Italy's most famous coastal villages on one of the world's great seaside drives.

Memorial to Wagner and a Scandanavian writer

Ravello
“The coast between Reggio and Gaeta is the most beautiful in Italy. One of the most enchanting spots on it is Ravello, where many rich men live; one of these was extremely rich and his name was Landolfo Rufolo”…(G. Boccaccio) As we see in the 4th novella in the 2nd day of the Decameron, the scenery and the monuments of Ravello, which was founded as a roman colony in the 6th century A.D. were already famous centuries ago. Perched on a 350 ft 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 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, on May 26th 1880; it is for that reason that the Wagner Festival takes place every year, during the month of July. It is also the seat of European University Centre for the Cultural Heritage.
Villa Cimbrone the other garden of Ravello, and is famous for its breathtaking Belvedere, from which one can admire “ the most beautiful view in the world” as says Gore Vidal, honorary citizen of Ravello. Other who have stayed here are D.H. Lawrence, author of “Lady Chatterley’s lover” and Greta Garbo, who came here with her lover Leopold Stokowski, as inscribed on a plaque at the entrance of the avenue of the villa. Complete the list of monuments which can be visited as one strolls along the streets and alleyways of this enchanting town: the church of San Giovanni del Toro, with its Pulpit in mosaic by Alfano da Termoli; the churches of Santa Maria a Gradillo and Santissima Annunziata, that has recently been restored and transformed into a conference hall; Villa Episcopio, that was Villa di Sangro, where King Vittorio Emmanuelle III signed his abdication in favour of his son Umberto II and where Jacqueline Kennedy also stayed on a memorable holiday; the cloister of the 13th century convent of St. Francesco with his library, and the Piazza Fontana Moresca.

Pompeii

Hard to avoid stepping on this one!

Mosaic of a dog from the Casa de Pacquius Procolus. Every time I see a Roman dog I am reminded of "Cave Canum" - Beware of the Dog which, I am reliably informed, was not to warn people to avoid being bitten originally but so they would avoid stepping on the creature as they mainly had small dogs for pets.

Pompeii

Pillars of history

Mensa Ponderaria at the Forum in Pompeii. This is one of the first things you come across if you're one of the two million plus annual sea of humanity that wanders the vias of this ancient town. If you're that way inclined you might follow the phallic trail to the brothel and view the art works of sexual positions in the rooms. The really good stuff is in the museum at Napoli (see elsewhere).

Page Updated Sep 26, 2003
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Comments (74)

acommon1 Sep 11, 2010 at 7:03 PM Report Abuse

Very helpful.
BruceDunning Mar 7, 2010 at 11:08 AM Report Abuse

I absolutely am enthralled with your comments of the straight forward facts of this country "made for tourists". I have been there 67-8 times, and more to see but always aware of your commentary. Great work.
eriksson977 Mar 30, 2009 at 5:07 AM Report Abuse

Outstanding pages from Italy. I just came back from Italy last week. Tomas Eriksson :)
WPThayer Sep 7, 2008 at 5:56 PM Report Abuse

That should be Bazzano Inferiore, with 2 z's; that explains the Google failure.
timada Sep 4, 2008 at 4:49 AM Report Abuse

Beautiful places ...never heard of .
volopolo Sep 1, 2008 at 3:29 AM Report Abuse

Great info! Italy has million attractions! Nice job! Keep traveling! Nikos
Trekki Mar 8, 2008 at 12:52 AM Report Abuse

YESSIR - I am right here !! Oh well, I have found many sights to see for my next trip and also inspirations for future ones :-)) Thanks for inspiring me - I need a lifetime to see this all. But Rome, Napoli and Trentino are now on my list as well :-)
Nemorino Mar 2, 2008 at 9:14 AM Report Abuse

Me again, returning to read more of your fine tips on Italy. I've seen operas based on Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso", but never such a weird garden of sculptures. That paper museum in Amalfi sounds fascinating, but I'm glad I never had to work there.
Jeffandnorah Jan 6, 2008 at 3:44 PM Report Abuse

I just found this little piece of paper with your name on it that you gave to me while riding with you on our way from Positano to Pompei almost 5 years ago. I believe it was on the bus ride. Glad to have finally found you.
craic Oct 25, 2007 at 2:55 PM Report Abuse

just having a browse and broken off to say that i agree the north of italy has bery little on it on vt - i hope to repair that oversight soon when i ma based in bogliasco - i'll do all the little places i can easilly reach by train