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The intrepid explorers spent today gaining bearings & considering a plan of attack for the Amalfi Coast.
Having survived the non footpathed narrow 2 lane main 'highway' into Praiano by foot, checked out the odd point of interest including shops. Church in Praiano has magnificent modern sculptured bronze doors - see pics, and ceramic tiled dome.
Sussed out the local bus system & wound the 5 kms by road, (probably 1km as the crow flies), into Praiano exploring the alleyways bulging with restaurants, delis/ greengrocers (selling HUGE lemons, & no, not all cross of lemon & grapefruit), clothing & sandal stores (make while you wait), & the odd store themed of anything smelling, looking or tasting of lemons!
Then caught ferry along the coast to check out the odd bay carved into steep cliff faces, swimming platforms attached to hotels, grottoes, boats and the landscape by water which is sensational. We off loaded at Amalfi for a tourist peek at the town sights. It was one of 4 powerful Maritime Republics which, in the middle ages (839-1135AD), had productive business relationships with outsiders, especially those from the Orient.
The Cathedral of Amalfi was the high point of the town.
The heart of the Cathedral is the Crypt where the head & other bones of St Andrew, Jesus' first disciple are buried. Having evangalised Greece, as far as modern day Russia, he was crucified in Patras, then paraded from Constantinople to Amalfi. A pretty stunning spot to be immortalised, with gorgeous frescoes, a large bronze statue of athletic proportions of the Saint by Michelangelo Naccherino (1604) of 2.6m & weight of approx 800 kg. His teacher was THE Michelangelo!
Marble statues by Pietro Bernini and a bit of Baroque decoration so the King of Spain felt he'd made a contribution in the 17th century add to the 'presence' of the crypt.
The cloisters, ancient cemetery of Amalfi noblemen, is of interlaced arches supported by 120 slender Moorish style columns with a small green Mediterranean garden at the centre. Around the sides are a few old Byzantine relics, and you can glimpse the Moorish style bell tower - again Moorsh style with some majolica tiles. The Cathedral itself is sumptuous, with amazing religious artworks, relics and architecture. You get a bit over it all, though have to mention the font- an ancient porphyry basin, probably nicked from a Roman Villa.
Enough!
Have to mention the wedding that was happening while we were there - music of course sounds incredible given the acoustics, bride was one of the largest meringues ( pavlova really) I have ever seen. Bridesmaids heels as high as them. Dorothy of Wizard if Oz fame had nothing on the sparkles of these!!
Watching them descend the enormous staircase completed my amusement for the afternoon!
So, after a swing up the High Street, we sat in the piazza opposite the Cathedral to take it all in, local wine in hand, deciding we had seen the highlights of Amalfi, without venturing into the restaurant scene.
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