Sorrento The Town

From our hotel it was a short walk to the sea even if it was still probably 20 Mt's above it, from here we saw some smashing sunsets.

One of the places we visited for lunch was a restaurant that claimed to be the only one with hand made paster on the premises and Mumma was making the pasta, Standing in the window overlooking the street so every one could see it was hand made. Dad front of house and the kids waiting. I think every bit of china in the building was made specifically for them including the toilets.

Our walking tour took as to the cathedral but only a very fleeting visit so we returned on or free day to explore. Just inside the doors there is a large miniature display, these are common in churches in this area some more elaborate than others.

 

Also stone was reused and repurposed, there are several examples where pillars and alters have been found in walls etc.

The internal of the building is as you would expect quite amazing.

Externally the building is not so grand, it has a separate bell tower which stands proud but you could walk by the main building

The area is very famous for its marquetry and a disused church has been turned into a showroom with the items being exported all over the world

Sorrento sits high above the sea for most or the time with stairways , lifts, slopes and a very twisty road leading down to the sea

At the north of the town there is a small area at sea level with cafes, bars etc. and also a fishing community. There is road access via a tunnel with no footpath and to the south end of the area steps going up through gates and arches that protected the town . It was here we got caught in a very heavy rain shower

Like most of the towns in this part of Italy it is build in the hills around a valley and river that ran into the sea, today the river has been diverted, it use to run where the horseshoe road is in the video and on its banks it had mills, long abandoned but the ruins deep below the road level .

In the old town the streets are very narrow and cars are banned, locals use scooters and as you walk around they are deadly. Even some of the roads that would be wide enough for a car they are banned. 

We visited one of the churches in the square and it has a large selection of small brass arms and legs in the cript. People give these when they are praying for that part of their body to be cured, there were small efergies of other parts as well.

There are lots of gardens and also lemon farms right in town, there long before it became a popular holiday destination. Of course the rich in commers with thier large houses have also planted lemons as well as other trees.

This area is where people gather, normally elderly males, bit like me to chat, drink coffee and play board games. The walls are flat but the murals give a strong feeling of 3D

Below are a few random photos we took around the town.