Atrani

Tourist town and municipality (less than 1,000 inhabitants) in southern Italy, in the region of Campania, in the province of Salerno, on the so-called Amalfi Coast, about 70 km southeast of Naples , about 24 km from Salerno , the provincial capital, less than 1 km east of Amalfi , at the mouth of the Dragone River (➤ map)(➤ map). One of the most popular towns on the Amalfi Coast, with a port and beaches, as well as some interesting monuments. Access by road SS163.

Remains of Roman villas have been preserved in Atrani from ancient times. The first mention of Atrani dates back to the end of the 6th century. In the Middle Ages, Atrani was one of the most important towns of the Republic of Amalfi, occupying a larger area than today and inhabited by representatives of the richest families of the republic. The period of decline of Amalfi began in the 11th century, as a result of the invasions of the Normans and the armies of Pisa; in the first half of the 12th century, after the capture of the region and sack of the city by the Pisans, the history of Amalfi as an independent "maritime republic" came to an end, which led to the collapse of most of its previously prosperous cities. In the following centuries, Atrani suffered further disasters: in 1434, a tsunami caused by an earthquake, the epicenter of which was in the Tyrrhenian Sea, destroyed the city (the entire region of the Gulf of Naples, the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast was also destroyed), and in 1643 a large part of the population of Atrani died as a result of the raging plague epidemic.

Today, Atrani is a tourist destination with a well-developed accommodation and gastronomic infrastructure, famous for its beautiful location and extremely picturesque buildings, as well as several interesting monuments, the most important of which are the church of San Salvatore de' Bireto , at the main square of Atrani, Piazza Umberto I , and Collegiata Santa Maria Maddalena . The original structure of the first of these churches dates back to the 10th century; later, the temple was rebuilt many times, finally in the neoclassical style. At the time when Atrani belonged to Amalfi, the election of the ruler of the republic and his coronation took place here - giving him a decorative headgear (bireto - hence the name of the temple). The second of these churches, built in the second half of the 13th century on the ruins of a former fortress, is known for its Rococo façade and dome covered with ceramic tiles.


Apart from the SS163 road running through Atrani, getting around the city and parking are difficult. If you are entering Atrani from the Amalfi side, just after the village start sign (visible on the left side of the road) a short tunnel begins ; if you turn right after it (it's easy to miss this place), Via Gabriele di Benedetto leads down to the harbor and the larger of the two main beaches , from where a few minutes walk will allow you to reach the city center (however, you should take into account that parking your car here will be impossible). If you miss the turn on Via Gabriele di Bendetto, the next opportunity to stop, even for a while, may not be until you enter Castiglione, near the junction with the SS373 road leading to Ravello (➤ map)(➤ map).

• It is worth knowing that relatively recently, on September 10, 2010, there was a tragic flood in Atrani when the Dragone River broke the levees and covered the city center with mud.