Sorrento
12 things to do and see in SorrentoLand of colors, of sirens, city of gardens: there are so many definitions attributed to Sorrento, home of the great Torquato Tasso. In fact, in each one there is a fund of truth, a piece of history of this millenary city influenced over the centuries by different cultures: Greeks, Romans, Normans, Aragonese have all passed through here, leaving each civilization its own mark and receiving it. in exchange the fruits of a generous nature and the poignant landscapes of one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in the world. Since the nineteenth century, Sorrento has been a pleasant tourist city, with a strong bond with the Anglo-Saxon world dating back to the so-called "Grand Tour", when knowledge of the Mediterranean was indispensable for the formation of the Central European aristocracy. The result was a very different atmosphere compared to other tourist resorts in Campania. Perhaps less inclined to folklore, but certainly more orderly, more welcoming, more civilized. As for the things to do, there are so many. Below, the most significant from our point of view.
1 Piazza Tasso-Corso Italia
The "rhythm" of Sorrento, the beating heart of the city. Bars, restaurants, shops and lots and lots of people practically all year round. At Christmas, then, the crowd is really great, because Sorrento is much more than a seaside resort. The only discordant note the cars that cross the city center even if, it must be said, we are very far from the traffic of other urban realities.
2 Villa Comunale
Five Star Panorama for the Villa Comunale in Sorrento a stone's throw from Piazza Tasso. Small, tidy, cozy, with a breathtaking sea view and the exclusive possibility of reaching Marina Piccola by means of a comfortable lift. In summer, the Marina is the port of connection with Capri, Ischia and Procida.
- Connections Sorrento Capri
- Connections Capri Sorrento
- Connections Sorrento Ischia
- Connections Ischia Sorrento
3 Cloister of San Francesco
Practically attached to the Villa Comunale, the Cloister of San Francesco is obligatory stop in Sorrento. It is part of the church of the same name even if, unlike the latter, it has retained several traces of the original fourteenth-century architecture along with other decorative motifs added in the following centuries. Arcades of crossed tuff arches that alternate with round arches in turn resting on columns surmounted by capitals. A mix of styles that leaves no one indifferent and which, above all, gives the cloister a solemn and mystical atmosphere.
4 Deep Valley of the Mills
There are many who argue that abandonment is the most authentic way of preserving beauty. Hence also the charm of Deep Valley of the Mills or, to put it in English (English and Americans are regular visitors to Sorrento) "Deep Valley of the Mills". It is a natural riverbed that once reached the sea where, in the XNUMXth century, the Correale family (the valley previously belonged to the Tasso family) had a mill built for grinding wheat. The rainwaters that swelled into the canal provided the mill to turn. The business continued until the early 900s and has been discontinued ever since. The result is that dense vegetation has taken over the area, almost completely covering the traces of the activities that took place there (there was also a sawmill, a tuff quarry and several caves used as cisterns for collecting rainwater) . All in the historic center of Sorrento. The valley is inaccessible and therefore you have to be content with photographing the ruin.
5 Cathedral of Sorrento
Originally located outside the city walls, the Cathedral of Saints Philip and James it has been in the historic center of Sorrento for over a thousand years even if, it must be said, previously it stood further upstream than its current location. Almost nothing remains of the original appearance and the present shape is the result of successive renovations completed in the 20s of the last century with the neo-Gothic style facade. The interior, on the other hand, is in Baroque style, mostly built in the XNUMXth century. As for the works of art, there are some of great value: from the canvases, made by Giacomo del Pò, depicting the Assumption and Saints Philip and James (in the ceiling of the Presbytery), to the "Madonna and Child and the two San Giovanni" by Silvestro Good (in the pulpit). The wooden choir (in the Presbytery) and the large organ overlooking the main entrance portal are also impressive. Outside, on Corso Italia, the bell tower with the 700th century ceramic clock. Majestic.
6 Dominova seat in via San Cesareo
From the nobility to the proletariat. From the meeting place of the Sorrento nobility, or rather a part of it, a Mutual Aid Workers' Society, a very widespread form of associations in the XNUMXth century. But let's proceed in order. The Sedil Dominova (from Latin "Domus Nova") was built in the 1877th century following the fratricidal fights between the patrician families of the city. Fights that left a long trail of blood and for which the resolute intervention of the then bishop was necessary. Hence the decision to create a monumental building in which only the nobles of the western part of Sorrento would meet, while the other families would continue to do so in the old Sedile di Porta, at the beginning of Corso Italia. In XNUMX, when the Workers 'Society was founded, the Sedil Dominova was used as the seat of the Sorrento workers' association. A form of mutualism, widespread in many parts of Italy, through which the workers were able to protect themselves in case of accidents and illnesses. A plaque still remembers the company that has had so many merits in improving the living conditions of the Sorrento people. Beautiful as wellfresco with the coat of arms of the city.
7 Correale di Terranova Museum
Three floors, twenty-four rooms, a library and a beautiful garden. The Correale di Terranova Museum, bequest of the brothers Alfredo and Pompeo Correale, Counts of Terranova, is unmissable stop for anyone visiting Sorrento. Inside there is really a lot of stuff: precious furniture, Capodimonte porcelain, 600th century paintings inspired by the spirit of the Counter-Reformation, still lifes, views of the Posillipo School and many, many books and other documentary material on the history of the Kingdom of Naples. The garden is also pleasant, one of the most beautiful in Sorrento. The Correale di Terranova Museum respects the following times:
1 April / 31 October
>> Tuesday to Saturday: 9.30 18.30
>> Sunday and Holidays: 9.30-13.30
Monday closed
November 1st / March 31st
>> Tuesday to Saturday: 9.30am-18pm
>> Sunday and Holidays: 9.30-13.30
>> Monday closed
Until the 31 January
>> Monday closed
>> Tuesday 9:30 13:30
>> Wednesday 9:30 13:30
>> Thursday 9:30 13:30
>> Friday 9:30 am to 18:30 pm
>> Saturday 9:30 to 18:30
>> Sunday 9:30 am-13:30pm
Full ticket price 8,00 € uro
8 Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
The main dish of the local gastronomy is the gnocchi alla sorrentina. In reality, it is reductive to limit what it is to the city one of the most famous dishes in the world, emblem of the Mediterranean cuisine and Made in Italy at all latitudes. Nothing but the flavor of fresh tomato, combined with mozzarella, basil and rigorously handmade gnocchi. Obviously, being well known, there is the risk of running into a more or less standardized version, so to speak. Therefore, I recommend that you ask someone local for suggestions, assuming that what really makes the difference in this dish, which is very simple in itself, is the quality of the raw materials used.
9 Limoncello
Some say he was born in Capri (where the trademark was registered), some in Amalfi, some in Sorrento. The fact is that it has always been in the city "Limoncellomania" between artisan factories and shops of typical products. It is impossible to escape whether it is to taste a glass (excellent as a digestive after lunch or dinner) or to buy a bottle to keep at home, or to give to relatives and friends. In short, without limoncello it is not Sorrento. The cost of a bottle is around ten, twelve euros.
10 The baths of Queen Giovanna
Fantastic, enchanting, wonderful, wonderful, unforgettable. It is enough to read the online reviews of this cove to realize, only in part, the beauty of the places. Sorrento has no sandy beaches but, don't worry, the Bagni della Regina Giovanna are certainly better. To reach the location you must first arrive at Capo di Sorrento. Considering the difficulty in finding parking (there is one just before the stretch on foot) it is preferable to take thebus although, of course, a lot depends on the time of year. A corner of paradise that is not suitable for families with small children in tow. For some time, the path leading to Bagni della Regina Giovanna has been cordoned off following a landslide. However, there is a commitment by the municipal administration to make this usable again wild stretch of coast of enormous historical and environmental value. Before venturing, therefore, it is good to inquire about the state of the places.
11 Christmas in Sorrento
Concerts, theatrical performances, museums, churches, lights, gastronomy. The Natale a Sorrento has been a brand for many years, the demonstration of how even a summer resort with commitment and organization can aim for seasonal adjustment of tourist flows. Difficult to describe the atmosphere: the small dim lights lining the street corners, along with the lighting of the large tree on Corso Italia give a magical effect to the city, even more beautiful than it normally already is.
12 The surroundings
Sorrento is beautiful and offers tourists everything they need for a fulfilling holiday. That said, just 20 minutes by car (a little more by bus) is the Amalfi Coast: Positano, Praiano, Maiori, Minori, Amalfi, Ravello and VietriAll wonderful places that deserve to be seen at least once in a lifetime. Not to mention the other coastal side: half an hour from Circumvesuviana there are the archaeological sites of Pompeii ed Herculaneum, without of course forgetting the city of Naples. In short, you are spoiled for choice. Long live Sorrento!
