Amalfi, Maritime commune in Campania, Italy
Amalfi is a coastal commune in Campania, located in the Province of Salerno, clinging to steep cliffs above the Gulf of Salerno. The buildings spread across several levels along a narrow valley that descends to the sea and is surrounded by high rock walls.
The town developed from the 9th century into a powerful maritime republic that dominated Mediterranean trade and controlled its own ships and trade routes until 1200. Its maritime laws influenced seafaring for centuries.
The name of the town likely refers to the ancient Roman family Amarfis, while today residents use its steep alleys and narrow squares for daily encounters. Many houses cling to the rock faces and connect through narrow staircases, creating a particular way of life.
Ferries and boats run regularly from Naples, Salerno, and other coastal towns, while buses travel the winding coastal road. Visitors on foot should expect steep stairs and narrow paths running through the center.
A museum preserves the centuries-old tradition of paper production and displays original machinery and tools from medieval paper mills. Visitors can see there how paper was made by hand in earlier times.
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