Villa Antica, Praiano

Villa Antica is set into the high coast of Praiano, between the sky and the sea, in the front row of the spellbinding landscape of the coast of Amalfi. Looking up from the sea, you will see it halfway to the top of the cliff, among a cluster of white houses, each one surrounded by the green of its own garden of lemon trees, kissed by the sun and rocked by the sweet waves of the Mediterranean sea. When you are in front of its entrance gate, you will know that you have arrived to a special place, heartbreakingly beautiful, and out of the ordinary if compared to the usual holiday homes.

The entrance to the villa is a high gate overlooked by a porch decorated with stucco works and ornaments. On the vault of the porch you will find the stucco coat of arms of the family of the original owner, which bears three roses in the middle. By climbing approximately 15 steps you will find yourself on a large terrace. On one side you will see a dazzling blue seascape, and in front of you there will be the luminous façade of the villa, painted in yellow, which stretches out towards the sea, on which there is a seventeenth-century white stucco work that will catch your eye.

The door that leads into the living room is overlooked by a rich baroque decoration. In the middle of this decoration there is a portrait of Saint Luke painted on majolica tiles. According to the Catholic traditions, Saint Luke is the patron saint of the painters, and the cathedral of Praiano is dedicated to Saint Luke.

Praiano has been famous in past centuries for its fine artisan workshops of decorators and painters, whose works still decorate the countless beautiful churches and the ancient villas of the Amalfi Coast. Villa Antica used to belong to one of the most famous painters of the Amalfi Coast. His name was Giovan Bernardo Lama, and he lived between the end of 1500 and the beginning of 1600. Some of his paintings are indeed kept in the Church of Saint Luke, in Praiano. Villa Antica was part of his house, and thus he had lavished rich decorations, paintings and stuccoes in it.

The present owners have restored and reinstated the decorations of the vaulted ceilings, tiled the floors with a carpet of hand-painted majolica tiles that reproduce ancient patterns and brought back the house to its ancient splendour.

The villa is beautiful, and welcoming as well: the terrace at the entrance is connected to the living room, and on this terrace you will find a large table made of decorated majolica tiles that awaits you for your outdoor meals. Along a wall, in front of the sea, you will find a white long brickwork bench of seventeenth-century design, perfect to enjoy the sun. At night time you will be able to light the terrace to dine outdoor.  Climbing a few steps from the terrace you will reach a small paved garden, where grapevines and lemon trees are grown. In the middle of the garden lies a small swimming pool. The swimming pool has a view of the sea as well.

Villa Antica is situated in an area of Praiano where the authentic locals live. Nearby you will not find tourist crowds, nor tourist shops or clubs. You will be able to find the happy vacation life of the Amalfi Coast just a couple of miles away. Here the air is clear and transparent, there are no noises, the incredible, luminous colors of houses, yards, gardens make you cheerful: it is the magic of the "divina costiera", the divine coastline, that magic that makes you happy to be alive and to be right there, and that will make your holiday unforgettable. And when the evening starts falling, you will discover the sunset on the sea, when a golden light wraps everything and makes all the colors vivid, before it fades into the night. You will be able to enjoy gentle evenings under the stars, maybe dining outdoor.