Cetara, Fishing village on Amalfi Coast, Italy
Cetara is a small coastal town on the Amalfi Coast that stretches from the Tyrrhenian Sea up toward Mount Falerio, with its center built right along the waterfront. The terrain is steep, with narrow streets winding between buildings and a harbor where fishing boats are moored.
The settlement began around 880 as a Muslim community and gradually grew into a major fishing port. Its name comes from the Latin word Cetaria, which referred to tuna fishing grounds, reflecting how central the sea trade was to the town's development.
The town's identity revolves around fishing, a trade that shapes how people organize their daily lives and how the waterfront looks. You notice fishing nets, boats, and seafood-related activities wherever you walk along the shore and through the narrow streets.
The town sits along the famous Amalfi Coast road, situated between Vietri sul Mare and Maiori. Parking is tight because of the narrow terrain, so it is best to explore the harbor and streets on foot.
The place is famous for producing colatura di alici, an amber sauce made from fermented anchovies through a slow aging process in wooden barrels. Few producers still make it by hand, keeping the exact recipe close to home.
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