Pompeo house with terrace and sea view

Close by Amalfi, there is Atrani that during the Sea Republic’s time was a residential quarter of the aristocracy and the nobility. So historically Atrani shared Amalfi destiny.

At the Saviour Church (Chiesa del S.S. Salvatore), Republic doges were crowned, while from the Church of the Bans (Chiesa del Bando), on the slopes of Monte Aureo which overlook the built-up area, judgements and town government bans were proclaimed.

Situated around the Tower of the Collegiate Church of Saint Mary Magdalene (Collegiata S.M. Maddalena) , the town has preserved the same ancient structure: houses which are crowded one against the other, lanes, narrow streets and small steps going down to the central square Umberto I.

Tradition tells that in Atrani the famous Masaniello was born. He headed the Neapolitan popular rebellion against Spanish domination in the 17th century.

It is also possible today to visit the house in which the Parthenopean leader lived during his first years.

In this village are preserved ancient tradition. Christmas Eve, for example, is celebrate in a very original way:

at dawn all the people go to the square to have breakfast, with coffee and “cappuccino”, but above all to exchange( and eat) traditional cakes (zeppole, roccocò, mustacciuoli and so on).