Praiano is an ancient fishing village placed at 6 km (about 4 miles) from Positano and 10 km from Amalfi.
At the age of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi, it was chosen as a summer residence on the Amalfi Coast for the the Dogi (the Dukes of Amalfi), as testimony of the vocation by this place for the relaxing vacation far from the usual touristic routes and loved by elites. During the Angevin period it was raised to the dignity of University (the name by which in the Southern Italy they defined those towns with partial autonomy from the central government and their own organs of rulement) by Charles I of Anjou. In the past it was famous for its production of silk and yarns.
The village, known for its fine climate and excellent facilities, presents itself to the sea as a cascade of white houses on a green, flowering slope. In the center of the higher part of the town, in a beautiful panoramic position, there is the main church of Praiano, dedicated to the patron saint San Luca Evangelista (St.Luke the Evangelist).
It was built in the 1588, upon a preexisting church of the 1123, and rebuilt in the 1772; it does not show any baroque exaggeration, but, on the contrary it has a sober and austere style. The facade, of an immaculate white, integrates harmoniously in the Mediterranean environment. Remarkable are the majolica pavement, belonging to the end of 18th century, and some polychrome marble altars, other than the silver bust representing St.Luca.
The lower part of Praiano stretch up to the Marina di Praia, with a narrow beach between two rocky walls, at the mouth of the rough ravine of Praia. On the promontory there is the Guard Tower of medieval origin, built to watch the sea and alarm the town when the ships of Saracen pirates came for forays. Nowadays the Marina di Praia is an appreciated sea resort and by renting a boat is possible to visit the surroundings, most of all the beautiful grottos of Suppraiano and of the Africana.
On the other side of Capo Sottile, at the right of the village, with wonderful view over Positano and the whole final part of the peninsula up to the isle of Capri, there is Vettica Maggiore, today hamlet of Praiano, but in the past autonomous village. It rouse around the church of San Gennaro Vescovo e Martire (Bishop and Martyr) built in 1589 upon the remains of a oreexisting church of the 13th century, always dedicated to the patron saint of Vettica, but mostly famous to be the patron saint of the city of Naples too. Upon the Renaissance plan with three naves, it rises a beautiful dome roofed with majolica, in the traditional style of Amalfi. At a few distance of the centre of Vettica Maggiore, going down to the sea, there are the Tower of Grado, built by the Spanish during the Viceroyalty, and the Beach of Gavitella in the cove with the same name, the only beach on the Amalfi Coast lightened by the sun until sunset, for its favourable position facing the West and view over Positano and Capri.
Near Gavitella there are also the Fountain of the Altar, a natural swimming pool inside the entrance of a grotto, and the Beach of the Praie, reachable only by boat.
A very characteristic aspect of Praiano are the "edicole votive", small chapels spread over the territory of Praiano as testimonies of the popular religious devotion. Generally done with painted majolica or fresco, they are on the border walls of the cultivated fields or on the external walls of houses. They are expression of the ancient social customs: when a family settled on their new property, they relied on a sacred image both to invoke God's protection and to strenghten their right over the property.
Historical places to visit in Praiano
St. Maria del Castro Church and convent
These were built by Dominican Fathers in 1599; the convent was suppressed at the end of 17th century. It has been recently restored together with the church thanks to the monks stong work.
St. Luca Evangelista Church
Saint Luca’s remains are kept here, a silver bust of him from 1694 and canvases attributed to 16th century painter Giovanni Bernardo Lama. Madonna del Rosario by Padovano di Montorio, dated 1572, is situated in a chapel on the right of altar. The interior of the church, restored in 1772, has three naves divided by pillars supporting beautiful rounded archs. Also very interesting are: a wood pulpit with paintings representing St. Pietro and St. Paolo, major altar in '1700 majolica and the floor with birds, flowers and St. Luca are painted. To the right of the church is the three story belfry
St. Gennaro Church
Situated in Vettica Maggiore, it’s visible from the sea. St. Gennaro Church is an often photographed landmark of Praiano. Of ancient foundation, it was restored in 1602. It presents three naves with transept dominated by an oval cupola, covered by multicolored tiles. The belfry has a high octagonal coping finished with a little majolica cupola. Inside one will admire the Assumptions of 1696 and St. Bartolomeo’s martyrdom, by Giovan Bernardo Lama and the Holy Family of the end of XVIth century.
Grado a Vettica di Praiano coast tower
This ancient Viceroyal tower visible from Positano was built to guard against sea invaders, and has recently been transformed into a private house.
Sciola coast tower
Another coastal tower, this one built in the Angevin age on a circular plant and transformed during Spanish reign, using the base part of medieval building.
Sports and free time in Praiano
Diving center
The diving center “La Boa” is situated on Marina di Praia beach.
It has a boat of 12 metres long. The customers can rent complete equipments.
Tel. 089 813034
Rent a boat and sea excursions
“La Praia rent a boat”, Via Marina di Praia, Praiano.
Tel. 338 3508555
Night club
L’Africana Club
Via torre a Mare, Praiano.
tel. 089 874042
Restaurants in Praiano
Il ContinentalVia Roma,63Tel. 089 874084
Il PinoVia G. Capriglione, 11Tel. 089 813045
Il Pirata Via Terramare, Tel. 089 874042
La Brace Via G. Capriglione, Tel. 089 874226
La Bugia Via G. Capriglione,Tel. 089 874653
La StradaVia G. Capriglione,178Tel. 089 813048
Paradise Via Terramare, 6Tel. 089 874534
Driving distances and approximate driving times
Amalfi: 10 km / 6 miles / 14 min.
Positano: 6 km / 4 miles / 8 min.
Ravello: 16 km / 10 miles / 21 min.
Sorrento: 21 km / 13 miles / 26 min.
Pompeii: 42 km / 26 miles / 51 min.
Naples: 63 km / 39 miles / 65 min.
Caserta: 86 km / 53 miles / 82 min.
Salerno: 34 km / 21 miles / 42 min.
Paestum: 71 km / 44 miles / 92 min.
Castellabate: 101 km / 63 miles / 107 min.
Marina di Camerota: 161 km / 100 miles / 146 min.
At the age of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi, it was chosen as a summer residence on the Amalfi Coast for the the Dogi (the Dukes of Amalfi), as testimony of the vocation by this place for the relaxing vacation far from the usual touristic routes and loved by elites. During the Angevin period it was raised to the dignity of University (the name by which in the Southern Italy they defined those towns with partial autonomy from the central government and their own organs of rulement) by Charles I of Anjou. In the past it was famous for its production of silk and yarns.
The village, known for its fine climate and excellent facilities, presents itself to the sea as a cascade of white houses on a green, flowering slope. In the center of the higher part of the town, in a beautiful panoramic position, there is the main church of Praiano, dedicated to the patron saint San Luca Evangelista (St.Luke the Evangelist).
It was built in the 1588, upon a preexisting church of the 1123, and rebuilt in the 1772; it does not show any baroque exaggeration, but, on the contrary it has a sober and austere style. The facade, of an immaculate white, integrates harmoniously in the Mediterranean environment. Remarkable are the majolica pavement, belonging to the end of 18th century, and some polychrome marble altars, other than the silver bust representing St.Luca.
The lower part of Praiano stretch up to the Marina di Praia, with a narrow beach between two rocky walls, at the mouth of the rough ravine of Praia. On the promontory there is the Guard Tower of medieval origin, built to watch the sea and alarm the town when the ships of Saracen pirates came for forays. Nowadays the Marina di Praia is an appreciated sea resort and by renting a boat is possible to visit the surroundings, most of all the beautiful grottos of Suppraiano and of the Africana.
On the other side of Capo Sottile, at the right of the village, with wonderful view over Positano and the whole final part of the peninsula up to the isle of Capri, there is Vettica Maggiore, today hamlet of Praiano, but in the past autonomous village. It rouse around the church of San Gennaro Vescovo e Martire (Bishop and Martyr) built in 1589 upon the remains of a oreexisting church of the 13th century, always dedicated to the patron saint of Vettica, but mostly famous to be the patron saint of the city of Naples too. Upon the Renaissance plan with three naves, it rises a beautiful dome roofed with majolica, in the traditional style of Amalfi. At a few distance of the centre of Vettica Maggiore, going down to the sea, there are the Tower of Grado, built by the Spanish during the Viceroyalty, and the Beach of Gavitella in the cove with the same name, the only beach on the Amalfi Coast lightened by the sun until sunset, for its favourable position facing the West and view over Positano and Capri.
Near Gavitella there are also the Fountain of the Altar, a natural swimming pool inside the entrance of a grotto, and the Beach of the Praie, reachable only by boat.
A very characteristic aspect of Praiano are the "edicole votive", small chapels spread over the territory of Praiano as testimonies of the popular religious devotion. Generally done with painted majolica or fresco, they are on the border walls of the cultivated fields or on the external walls of houses. They are expression of the ancient social customs: when a family settled on their new property, they relied on a sacred image both to invoke God's protection and to strenghten their right over the property.
Historical places to visit in Praiano
St. Maria del Castro Church and convent
These were built by Dominican Fathers in 1599; the convent was suppressed at the end of 17th century. It has been recently restored together with the church thanks to the monks stong work.
St. Luca Evangelista Church
Saint Luca’s remains are kept here, a silver bust of him from 1694 and canvases attributed to 16th century painter Giovanni Bernardo Lama. Madonna del Rosario by Padovano di Montorio, dated 1572, is situated in a chapel on the right of altar. The interior of the church, restored in 1772, has three naves divided by pillars supporting beautiful rounded archs. Also very interesting are: a wood pulpit with paintings representing St. Pietro and St. Paolo, major altar in '1700 majolica and the floor with birds, flowers and St. Luca are painted. To the right of the church is the three story belfry
St. Gennaro Church
Situated in Vettica Maggiore, it’s visible from the sea. St. Gennaro Church is an often photographed landmark of Praiano. Of ancient foundation, it was restored in 1602. It presents three naves with transept dominated by an oval cupola, covered by multicolored tiles. The belfry has a high octagonal coping finished with a little majolica cupola. Inside one will admire the Assumptions of 1696 and St. Bartolomeo’s martyrdom, by Giovan Bernardo Lama and the Holy Family of the end of XVIth century.
Grado a Vettica di Praiano coast tower
This ancient Viceroyal tower visible from Positano was built to guard against sea invaders, and has recently been transformed into a private house.
Sciola coast tower
Another coastal tower, this one built in the Angevin age on a circular plant and transformed during Spanish reign, using the base part of medieval building.
Sports and free time in Praiano
Diving center
The diving center “La Boa” is situated on Marina di Praia beach.
It has a boat of 12 metres long. The customers can rent complete equipments.
Tel. 089 813034
Rent a boat and sea excursions
“La Praia rent a boat”, Via Marina di Praia, Praiano.
Tel. 338 3508555
Night club
L’Africana Club
Via torre a Mare, Praiano.
tel. 089 874042
Restaurants in Praiano
Il ContinentalVia Roma,63Tel. 089 874084
Il PinoVia G. Capriglione, 11Tel. 089 813045
Il Pirata Via Terramare, Tel. 089 874042
La Brace Via G. Capriglione, Tel. 089 874226
La Bugia Via G. Capriglione,Tel. 089 874653
La StradaVia G. Capriglione,178Tel. 089 813048
Paradise Via Terramare, 6Tel. 089 874534
Driving distances and approximate driving times
Amalfi: 10 km / 6 miles / 14 min.
Positano: 6 km / 4 miles / 8 min.
Ravello: 16 km / 10 miles / 21 min.
Sorrento: 21 km / 13 miles / 26 min.
Pompeii: 42 km / 26 miles / 51 min.
Naples: 63 km / 39 miles / 65 min.
Caserta: 86 km / 53 miles / 82 min.
Salerno: 34 km / 21 miles / 42 min.
Paestum: 71 km / 44 miles / 92 min.
Castellabate: 101 km / 63 miles / 107 min.
Marina di Camerota: 161 km / 100 miles / 146 min.
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento