From Ravello via Torello to Minori and return.
Time 3 hrs
This is a relatively brief walk but affords some spectacular views.
From Piazza Duomo, Ravello, leaving the cathedral behind the tower at the entrance of Villa Rufolo is clearly discernable.. To the left of this take Vial dell’ Annunziata which runs below the villa and pass the church of the Annunziata ( built in 1281). The two bell towers represent the classical picture of the Amalfi Coast. Few steps ahead the lane meets the road; on the opposite side is the stairway which takes its name from the church of San Pietro a Costa dating back to C13. Proceed in this direction and take a right at the turning after the church.
The path converges with other pathways but go downwards in the direction of the sea as far as the medieval hamlet of Torello where the church of San Michele Archangelo stands with its arabesque bell tower.
Inside there are C15 paintings of the school of A. Sabatini. Leaving the church to the right, the path down to Minori begins along the panoramic Via Torello among the lemon terraces and vines. Along the road at level with a small chapel take the right turn down a sheer stairway which leads to the Piazzola di Villamena at the at the cemetery of Minori from where there is a good view of the town.
The path to the right in direction of the sea descends towards the Coast road.. From here, near a small fountain, take the last steps, Via San Giovanni a Mare, which leads once again to the road. Walk up this for some C.200m to the car park in front of the Villa Marittima Romana.
Continuing in this same direction you take a footway leaving the church of Santa Lucia on the left. The stairway on the left leads to the road for the “Rotonda”. Cross the tarmac road and continue as far as another chapel from where you take a right turn Shortly after this is a crossroads and turning left the return route towards Ravello. The path continues briefly before becoming (after about 200m) the usual stairway. In the proximity of a few houses there is yet another fork. Take the right turning and shortly the path meets the road for Valico di Chiunzi from Ravello. Cross this and the brief Via Martino Frezza leads to the hamlet of Lacco, near the old Northern gate to Ravello. Once through the gate take Via Lacco in order to reach Piazza Fontana with its Moorish fountain. Beyond the fountain to the left proceed along Via San Giovanni del Toro to the church of the same name, then to the Palazxzo Gonfalone with its magnificent marble portico taken from the Basilica di Sant’ Eustachio a Pontone. Andto a series of noble palaces, the Casa del Tollo (municipal seat ) and as far as the slope down right, to Via Richard Wagner and towards Piazza Duomo. |
