Introduction to the Town of Atrani

Atrani is on the Amalfi Coast in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western

Italy. It is located in the south of Amalfi, just a short drive from the coast.

It is the smallest city in southern Italy, and in 2010, it was estimated that the local population of Atrani was

only about 900 people. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nobody’s sure about Atrani’s origins, but archeologists have

discovered ruins from 1 A.D., and Roman villas are known to

have existed along the Almafi Coast that were covered in

debris and ash from the eruption of

Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

The first documented proof of the existence of Atrani can only be found in a letter

by the Pope Gregory the First (or “Gregory the Great”) to Bishop Pimenio of Amalfi which was dated

596 AD.

Nowadays, Atrani is known for its perfect Mediterranean climate. It is often very sunny

and almost never foggy.

This charming town is great place to visit for those who would like to get away from the

crowds. Besides being away from traffic, the crowds here are also

much lighter, even during the busy

summer months.

Points of Interest

It was founded in 1274 on the ruins of a medieval fortress.

Today, visitors can find beautiful statues and

paintings in its various side chapels, including the

sculpture The Madonna Shepherdess from 1789, as well as The Incredulity of St.

Thomas by 16th century artist Salerno Andrea Sabatini.

The Collegiate Church of St. Mary Magdalene

Penitent

It is a fortress on Monte Aureo that overlooks the

town of Amalfi and Atrani. Its exact date of

construction is unknown, but research suggests that

it was built in the 15th century. Here, you can find

bastions and turrets, as well as the ruins of an old

castle

Torre dello Ziro

According to legend, Joan the Mad, or

Joan of Aragon, was imprisoned and starved to death

here. Her story has inspired tragic

novels, including one by the famous

Italian writer Matteo Bandello.

A small natural cave. Its walls are

decorated with Byzantine-style

frescoes from the 12th century,

depicting the four Evangelists. The cave is the remains of the

Benedictine monastery of Saints Quirico and Giuditta.

Grotto of the Saints

It was built in 1601. The church's exterior is plain, but its bell tower was built in the Moorish style and is considered very valuable. Inside,

the church is decorated in the Baroque style, with a 15th-century fresco depicting the Madonna. The

church also has a Nativity scene that is displayed during the

holidays, whose characters are actually portraits of prominent

Atrani men and women from the 15th century.

Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

It is built in the 10th century on top of

Mount Aureo. Inside the church is a

preserved urn of white marble that

dates back from the Julio-Claudian

dynasty.

Church of Santa Maria del Bando

The Church of San Salvatore de' Birecto and the Church of San

Michele Arcangelo

Both churches were built

around the 10th and 11th

centuries and feature

interesting sculptures and

paintings.

Take the road less traveled and see this hidden gem of a town for yourself on your next trip to

Italy!

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