 Praiano is
a picturesque
town situated between Positano and Conca
dei Marini. Praiano
is less famous than the other towns on the Amalfi
Coast, but it
has always been loved by tourists, since the times of the
Sea Republics. In that period the doges
of Amalfi choose
Praiano as their summer residence.
The structure of the town is that of
a typical village of the Amalfi Coast, the Divine Coast:
on this beautiful coastline men had to conquer their space
on the steep mountains on the
sea. The
town of Praiano is located at the feet of Tre Pizzi Mountain (1120
over the sea level) and stretches out to Marina
di Praia,
the charming beach situated at the end of Praia Valley
surrounded by high rocks, a real natural port that has
always been used since the times of the ancient Plagianum
(original name of Praiano). Still today it boasts
a Middle Ages tower that belonged
to the system of towers once built to defend Amalfi Coast
from the Saracen incursions. One of the most typical features
of the Amalfi Coast villages including Praiano is the
presence of many stairs and the
most charming places of this territory can be only reached
by staircases.
This is why these places are unspoiled and still preserve
their most typical beauty and features, which would be
otherwise exposed to mass tourism.
Capo Sottile is in between
Praiano and its hamlet called Vettica Maggiore where
the small bay called “della
Gavitella” lies; unlike the other
beaches of the Amalfi Coast and thanks
to its particular position, this beach is sun-kissed
from sunrise to sunset, also boasting a breathtaking view
on Positano and on Capri
island. You will also admire there a watch
tower built during Spanish period, and a natural cove
situated in a grotto called “Fontana
dell'Altare” (“The Fountain of the Altar”).
In Praiano there are many interesting shrines
showing the inhabitants' deep faith.
To really enjoy all the
beauties of the area round Praiano, your holiday here
should be completed with a boat trip to the most enchanting
spots of this coast reachable only by sea such as the small
beaches hidden by rocks,
or the suggestive sea caves called 'Africana'
and 'Suppraiano'.
Among the most interesting events held
in Praiano, we mention the summer event “I
suoni degli dei” ("the Sounds of
the Gods") proposing
music concerts on the squarebefore
the church of Santa Maria a Castro, which is situated on
the famous trekking way called 'Path of the Gods'; and
the nocturnal version of the same event, thus called “le notti
di luna piena” (the nights of fullmoon),
proposing night concerts
performed in the moonlight, in a really charming and picturesque
atmosphere. An other interesting festival is the “Festival
della tradizione” (festival of traditions)
rich in folk dances, tales and songs.
Here some information about the distance
of Praiano from the other
towns on the Amalfi Coast: Praiano is about 30 km away from Vietri
sul Mare and 25 Km from
the small town of Cetara. Maiori is
15 km far from Praiano, and Minori
14 km. Praiano is just 10 km away from Atrani and
9 km from Amalfi and its wonderful Cathedral. Ravello and
Furore are
about 16 and 15 km far from Praiano, respectively.
Ettore Panella
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