Sorrento

Sorrento

Sorrento is the most renowned town of the homonymous peninsula, a portion of land stretching towards the sea, which in all times has attracted and fascinated the people, mainly arrived there by sea. The city was frequented already in ancient times, in fact they were discover traces of Etruscan and Oscan settlements. In reality it was the Greeks who founded the town and gave it the urban layout that still persists today.

During the Roman domination Surrentum play a role in the Italic insurrection in 90 BC, and was proclaimed municipality of the Menenia Roman tribe. The remains of a magnificent Roman villa have come down to us from this period and, according to the Latin poet Stazio, be owned by to the historian Pollio Felice.
It was an episcopal see since the 5th century, but at the fall of the Roman empire, Sorrento ended up in the hands of the Byzantines; Sorrento took part in the anti-Muslim leagues together with other towns in Campania region; it was looted by the Lombards and, finally, was conquered by the Normans. The city gained its independence and autonomy as a Duchy, first thanks to the dukes of Naples and then thanks to archons and dukes of their own land.
In 1558 it was looted by the Turks, while a century later, in 1648 it sustained the siege of Giovanni Grillo, general of the Duke of Guisa. The XVIII century represents a moment of cultural, economic and social rebirth for Sorrento, in fact it is included among the destinations of the Grand Tour, that is to say the journey for cultural purpose undertaken by the scions of the best European families to improve their historical and literary education and which eventually turned into a moment of spiritual growth.
Among some of the most famous travelers arriving in Sorrento, worth mentioning are Lord Byron, John Keats, Charles Dickens, Wolfang Goethe, Richard Wagner, Henrik Ibsen, Friedrich Nietzsche etc. Sorrento is a charming city, with dazzling and shining colors, from the many terraces you can admire breathtaking views, such as Punta del Capo, Ischia, and Capri: this explains why the Greeks imagined that the Sirens resided here and that , with their singing captivated the sailors.

To visit:
The Roman Villa, which belonged to the historian Pollio Felice, its ruins are visible, along with the marine docking places, some terraces and cisterns.
Nearby there is a natural swimming pool which can be accessed from the sea through a natural arch which was most likely a Roman nymphaeum (Diana's baths).

The Punta-Campanella Marine Park:
Is a marine natural area established in 1997 to enhance the biological and geomorphological resources of the area, to spread knowledge of marine and coastal environments and to promote socio-economic growth. We recommend also a walk to the bay of Ieranto with the islet of Li Galli, where in the nearby waters live many species of fish, such as bream, octopus, lobster, grouper, scorpion fish and gray mullet.