It's just a 20 minute climb up a concrete staircase at the end of the lungomare in Minori. Then another 200 meters along the narrow Amalfi Drive with no sidewalk and cars and tour buses passing within a few inches of your shoulder. Hand-painted ceramic road markers indicate the route for drivers. Magnificant views of the beach and bathers are a distraction the pedestrian cannot afford.But it's such a rush to arrive at the entrance to the Torre dei Normanni Ristorante and the view over the top of the old Norman watchtower.
Towers like this one are scattered up and down the western coastline of Italy...reminders of Italy's history of constant invasion by occupying forces. Some towers have held up well and have been restored to house romantic restaurants and exclusive hotels. Others have been left to the elements suffering wind and water erosion. But they are all evocative of a rich, dramatic history.
If you like towers, be sure to see San Gimignano before you leave. Only about 12 towers remain, but the town did have more than 100 at one time. Lovely. And while you are in the area, stop at Sienna and tour their church. My favorite in Italy (you may notice a slight resemblance to the one in Portovenere).
ReplyDeleteAfter the effort to get there I would have to rest before I could eat. Interesting and beautiful place to stay awhile, Please, refill.
ReplyDeleteChristine, SanGimignano will have till next time :( as will Siena. We're jam-packed now till our return.Ci Vediamo presto!!
ReplyDeleteMya,Sadly,we didn't eat there,because wood pizza ovens are only fired up in the evenings, and we were there in the afternoon. But it was totally worth the hike!
Beautiful and familiar I miss the Amalfi coast, time we paid another visit.
ReplyDeleteLinda, It's always beautiful, but the day after we left that disaster happened in Atrani. So tragic.
ReplyDelete