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We arrived in Amalfi before breakfast and anchored just offshore. As the fog cleared, we had a clear view of the harbor and the town surrounded by steep cliffs. In the 12th century, Amalfi was an important trading power in the Mediterranean. |
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| Once ashore, we walked through an arched wall entrance into the little town with its small plaza and magnificent, ancient church. |  |
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Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and told us all about the church's history and gave us lots of information which I promptly forgot. We just admired it. |
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There was a small garden surrounding the former cloister, frescoes inside that dated back to the 17th century and a beautiful, gilded ceiling above us.
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What I do remember about Amalfi is that at one time it had a population of some 70,000 people, which is hard to imagine in such a crammed space. The town lays claim of having the compass invented here by some nautical genius, Flavio Gioja (1302). However, I believe there are many earlier accounts of using magnetism in navigation. But who am I to argue that point? It was time to board the bus and see Pompeii. Click here to continue to Pompeii.. |
