Amalfi is a small town in Italy’s Campania region on the Gulf of Salerno.  It is surrounded by breathtaking cliffs and beautiful coastal scenery.  Amalfi was once the capital of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi around the 11th century, and was an important trading port between the Orient and Europe.  Now an important tourist resort and known the world over, Amalfi still bears mementos from its seafaring past.  Visit the La Bussola History page for information on how the hotel’s name is connected with the town’s illustrious past.

Still the main town of the Costiera Amalfitana, Amalfi has many interesting attractions.  One of the most fascinating sights is the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea located on the top of a long flight of stairs.  The cathedral is dedicated to St Andrew, the town’s Patron Saint, and contains a tomb holding some relics of the apostle.  In 1206 the relics of St Andrew were brought to Amalfi by the Amalfitano Pietro Cardinale of Capua following the sacking of Constinople by the crusaders.

Linked to the Cathedral is the 13th century Chiostro del Paradiso which is home to the tombs of distinguished citizens from Amalfi.

There is a paper museum up in Via delle Cartiere, short walk from the town, dedicated to the history of paper.  It is held within an old paper mill dating back to the 13th century.

A few kilometres along the coast in the direction of Positano is the Grotta dello Smeraldo which has been compared to Capri’s Grotta Azzurra.  The grotto gets its name from the emerald green colour of its sandy floor.