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SorrentoSorrento is one of the best known resorts in Italy, situated on a tract of coastline of unrivalled beauty, on the northern slope of the Sorrentine Peninsula. This sheltered spot, surrounded by luxuriant hills where vines, olives and above all high quality citrus fruits are grown, was once the site of choice where the wealthy Romans used to build their villas, and it has been a highly prestigious retreat since 700. Sorrento has been nicknamed “La Gentile” because of the gentleness of its climate, the refinement of its streets and gardens and of the friendliness of its inhabitants. Sorrento nestles on a tufaceous terrace, 50 meters high, which falls steeply down to a blue, crystalline sea. This peculiar geographical position gives it a special character. The city does not have a promenade, but looks down, like a balcony, over the port and two Marinas, with unexpectedly charming views. Access to the sea is gained mostly via stairs, passageways carved into the rock and lifts. The origin of the name Sorrento – Surrentum – is poetically dated back to the Sirens who, legend has it, lived in the rocks of the gulf, from where they tried in vain to ensnare Ulysses with their deadly song. The city’s origin is very old: sited in an area that was inhabited in prehistoric times, Sorrento was probably founded by Greek settlers and then subjected to the dominion of the Sannites. In the third century B.C., the Romans who, in the first century B.C., established a Municipality there occupied it. In the early centuries of the Sorrento Empire, it became an important resort and abounded in splendid villas with their flourishing gardens and numerous temples. From 420 on it became a Bishopric. During the Middle Ages it was dominated by various powers; thereafter, its history was identified most often with that of the Reign of Naples. In 1558 it underwent the cruelest attack by the Saracens who sacked it. Following this episode, a wall and defense and watchtowers, placed on neighboring spurs, surrounded the city. In 1554 the poet Torquato Tasso, Sorrento’s most famous son, was born. In the old part of Sorrento the Greek-Roman structure of the town can still be detected, with the parallel streets intersecting at right angles. Today, at the heart of the city, stands Tasso Square where, besides the monument of the famous poet, is the statue of St. Antonio, patron saint of Sorrento. Corso Italia begins from the square; a lively, elegant street, with a wealth of shops and meeting place. The Duomo, of medieval origin, was constructed in the fifteenth century; the beautiful door on the right side dates back to this period. Very interesting is the Palazzo Verniero, with wonderful decorations of Arab-Hispanic designs on the window. One of the most typical monuments of Sorrento is the Sedile Dominova, where the nobles of the urban quarters would come together. It is a fifteenth century loggia, with two large rounded arches surmounted by a seventeenth century majolica cupola. The basilica of S. Antonio, which guards the sepulcher of the city’s patron saint, has an ancient portal from the eleventh century. In the charming cloister of the church of St. Francesco, with interlaced arches in the Arab style, are held classical music concerts. The Villa Comunale, with a wealth of majestic trees and flourishing flowerbeds, extends towards the sea with terrace from which one can enjoy a magnificent view of the Bay of Naples, from Procida to Vesuvius. Beside Vittoria square can be seen the remains of the temple of Venus. Of Roman origins, Sorrento still retains the southern gate, at the beginnings of via Tasso, as well as that at the Grand Marina. The northern side of Sorrento is bordered by gorges, which fall steeply down to the sea. Eastwards lies the calm mirror of the Marina Piccola, protected by a long dock, which constitutes the port where the boats for Naples and Capri berth. The Marina Grande, a wide cove equipped with swimming facilities, is the city’s beach. Other towns in the area: Arola, Castellammare di Stabia, Colli di Fontanelle, Cumae, Marina del Cantone, Marina della Lobra, Marina di Puolo, Massa Lubrense, Meta di Sorrento, Metrano, Monte di Procida, Nerano, Piano di Sorrento, Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, Sant'Agnello di Sorrento, Schiazzano, Torca, Vico EquenseYou might also be interested in reading about the following Sorrento topics:
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