Maiori is a bathing resort on the biggest beach of the Amalfi Coast. The landascape is really suggestive and, in a few minutes, it changes from the sea to a wooded inland, which is an ideal place to go walking and enjoy being in touch with nature.It is one of the most ancient village of the " Amalfi Coast". Some historicals asset that Minori descended from Etruscan origins. But the beauty of this little village attracted many important tourists, especially rich families from the Roman Empire, who built a "Villa" which is well keptand still today, it is possible to visit and admire it. While walking up the Corso Reginna, the visitor can visit the many charming burghs of Maiori. This lovely itinerary can be followed on foot or by car:
- San Pietro: the ancient quarter of S. Pietro with its magnificent little square and its church is 10 minutes from the center of Maiori. The church of St. Peter the Apostle was built in the fourth century on the ruins of the Temple of Vertumno, destroyed by the citizens of Maiori following their conversion to Christianity.
Queen Giovanna II d'Angiò worshipped in this church during her visit to Maiori in 1416 on the occasion of her second marriage to James the Bourbon, Count of Marra.
The statue of the Apostle is of great artistic value. The visitor to this tiny corner of Maiori finds himself immersed in the atmosphere of a past era.
- Santa Maria delle Grazie: the first burgh encountered after leaving the quarter of S. Pietro is S. Maria delle Grazie (Saint Mary of the Graces).
It is a minute village, although the population has increased through the years. The economy of this small burgh of Maiori, with its many lemon groves, is still based on agricultural activities.
The town church is worth visiting; the church is situated on the banks of the Reginna Maior river and historians trace the present structure to an ancient sixth century Basilica.
Rebuilt in the eighteenth century, the church of S. Maria delle Grazie was almost completely destroyed by the flood of 1910. The church was subsequently rebuilt and a fresco was added to the interior of the church under the vault over the alter. It depicts the Madonna during the terrible flood. The marble baptismal font, dating back to the end of the thirteenth century, is of significant historical and artistic value.
- Ponteprimario: going up from the burgh of S. Maria delle Grazie, the visitor finds the small burgh of Ponteprimario, which borders with the Tramonti valley.
The church which dominates this small village is the Church dedicated to the Madonna del Principio (the Madonna of the Beginning), which dates back to the seventh century.
The recently renovated church has been rebuilt many times following the floods which through the years have upset the entire territory of Maiori. What remains of the original structure can be found in the crawl space under the present pavement, and on the left side of the open area in the front of the church, where the arch of an ancient Apse bearing the fresco of a flower can still be seen.
The towers
All of the he towers along the Amalfi Coast (the first fortifications along the coastline) can be dated to the epoch of the Swabian domination of the coastal zone. As regards the territory of Maiori, the oldest towers are dated to the era of the reign of Carlo I d'Angiò in 1278, specifically the towers of Erchie and of Capo d'Orso. The towers which were important structures for sighting enemy assaults, were constructed in such a way that the entire territory could always be under control and so that messages could be sent between the various lookout points. Among the most majestic of these towers, is the Torre Normanna (Norman Tower) at the entrance into Maiori coming from the direction of Salerno, which in the past was called the Torre dell'Angolo (the Corner Tower). It was built in 1563 and is an imposing bastion set on a rocky abutment. Today the tower houses a restaurant. Between the cities of Maiori and Minori, there is another ancient tower, called the "Torricella", built in 1563. This tower is quadrangular in form, and through the years it was transformed into a Castle and given the name of its ancient owner, Mezzacapo, hence it is called the Mezzacapo Castle. Other important lookout points were found in the Acquaruolo Tower in the locality of Salicerchie and the Sanspirito Tower in the locality of Badia. Ancient tradition dictates that the inhabitants of the city of Atrani realized that pirate ships were approaching the shoreline without an escort from the various towers positioned in the territory of Maiori, and so they lit a great bonfire on the beach to warn Maiori of the danger. Since then, as a sign of gratitude for the help given by the people of Atrani, in the occasion of the celebrations dedicated to the Patron Saints of the two cities, the first citizens of both cities exchange visits, and a great bonfire is lit on the eve of the celebration.
What to see in Maiori
Collegiate of Santa Maria a mare
In the thirteenth century, the ancient fortress of St. Angelo, built after the Longobard invasions, was partially demolished to enlarge the church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. In the meantime, the church had been elevated to Basilica in order to host the rectory of S. Maria a Mare (St. Mary at Sea), after a wooden statue of the Madonna, wrapped in a bale of cotton, had been found at sea in the first years of the century. Every year, on August 15th, at the end of a procession through the city streets, the citizens of Maiori carry the statue of Santa Maria a Mare on their shoulders, and run up the steep stairs that lead to the Collegiate, and with this gesture of faith and folklore, they represent the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Chruch of San Francesco
The church of S. Francesco dates back to 1405 and was built in proximity to the Grotto dell'Annunziata (Grotto dedicated to the Madonna of the Annunciation). It was annexed to the western side of the convent, to the opposite of its present location. In 1435 both the church and thge convent were destroyed by the army of Mohammed II, and the church was rebuilt the following year by S. Bernardino di Siena (St. Bernardine of Siena). In 1440 a violent tidal wave again destroyed the church was once again rebuilt in the same place. Construction of the newer, larger church was begun in 1517 and was interrupted during a Turkish invasion of the entire coast in 1558. In 1590 construction of both the church and the convent, in their present location, was completed.
Church of the “avvocata”
The Chiesa dell'Avvocata (Sanctuary of the Protectress) is located at the top of a long rock formation on the plateau of Mount Mirteto (approx. 900 meters above sea level) at the base of Mount Falerzio (1024 meters above sea level). A steep stairway from the Lama quarter in Maiori leads to the Sanctuary; instead, from the city of Cava de' Tirreni, a narrow mule path leads to the Sanctuary from the S.S. Trinità Abbey. Every year, on the Monday after Pentecost, the main feast day of the Madonna dell'Avvocata, numerous faithful followers go up to the mountain top. From this summit, the beautiful panorama of the Gulf of Salerno and the Amalfi Coast can be admired.
Castle
The Castle of St. Nicholas de Thoro Plano is situated on the hill bearing the same name, and from this position it overlooks the entire city of Maiori, offering a splendid view. If you are on foot, the steps of Via Castello lead from the burgh of S. Pietro to the Castle, or, if you are traveling by car, you can reach the Castle from the village of Vecite.
The castle was built in the ninth century to defend the city from pillaging after the barbaric incursion of the Longobards of Sicardo. After a period of abandonment, the castle was rebuilt in the fifteenth century.
Restaurants in Maiori
Mammato
Località Mare Amendola
+39 089 853683
La vela
Via G. Amendola, 13Telephone: 089/852874
La ninfaVia Santa Tecla, 8Telephone: 089/877202
Pietra di LunaVia Capone, 27Telephone: 089/877500
Ristorante Capo d'Orso
Via D. Traiani n° 48
Tel: +39 089877022
Nettuno
Via Capone 27
Tle. 39 089/877500
Other sights of the area- driving distances and approximate driving times
Amalfi: 6 km / 4 miles / 10 min.
Praiano: 16 km / 10 miles / 24 min.
Positano: 22 km / 14 miles / 28 min.
Ravello: 18 km / 11 miles / 18 min.
Sorrento: 37 km / 23 miles / 48 min.
Pompeii: 60 km / 37 miles / 72 min.
Naples: 80 km / 50 miles / 90 min.
Caserta: 85 km / 53 miles / 82 min.
Rome: 276 km / 172 miles / 165 min.
Salerno: 20 km / 13 miles / 27 min.
Paestum: 60 km / 37 miles / 65 min.
Castellabate: 86 km / 54 miles / 81 min.
Marina di Camerota: 145 km / 90 miles / 152 min.
