Between mountains and the sea, the town
of Positano climbs the sheer cliff side with pastel colored houses
stacked one on top of the next. How a town could possibly exist in such
an inhospitable environment is mystifying. And, yet, once the beauty of
Positano penetrates deep into your heart, all of the questioning about
why and how the buildings seem to cling to the mountains fades away.
What is left is the simple joy that comes from appreciating the beauty
of this extraordinary town on the Amalfi Coast.
The heart of Positano is just steps away
from the beach at Marina Grande. The streets surrounding the Church of
Santa Maria Assunta, Positano’s largest church, are lined with restaurants
and boutiques selling the town’s famous fashions. From the center of
town, look up at the buildings stacked up like colorful boxes and you’ll
see why Positano is known as “The Vertical City.” Standing on the beach, surrounded by the vertical kaleidoscope of colors, it feels like you’ve stepped into another world – and you have.
Part of Positano’s unique charm is its
relative isolation compared to other popular towns such as Sorrento or
Amalfi. The road that winds its way along the mountainous Amalfi Coast
passes high above Positano, and the long walk down from the road
prevents many of the coach tours and day trippers from reaching the
center of town. The most scenic and comfortable way to arrive in Positano is by boat from nearby Amalfi or from Naples, Capri, Sorrento and Salerno. You’ll arrive right at Marina Grande with fabulous views of the town and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
Credits: Flickr
During your visit to Positano, be sure to visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. The 18th-century
interior of the church is filled with light that reflects off of the
refined white arches and dome with their gold accents. At the high altar
is a 12th-century Byzantine icon of the Holy Virgin, also
known as the Black Madonna. The festival for the Assumption of the
Virgin takes place on August 15th, which is an exciting time to visit Positano.
One of the best reasons to visit
Positano is to spend time relaxing on its beautiful beaches. Spiaggia
Grande is the town’s largest and most popular beach and is located right
in the heart of town. During the summer months it is covered with brightly colored umbrellas and sun beds.
For a quieter and more secluded beach
experience, follow the pretty Via Positanesi d’America promenade from
Marina Grande to the lovely Fornillo Beach. Set on a cove with scenic views of the Li Galli islands and a watchtower, Fornillo is a popular beach with locals.
Even if you’re prepared for it, the beauty of Positano can still take your breath away.
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