Small villages, postcards from small paradises (first part)

Many small villages of Campania are one more beautiful than another. But to suggest a nice trip we will focus our attention on eight villages included into the guide to Borghi più Belli d’Italia, written thanks to the Anci (Association of Italian mnucipalities). Medieval hamlets with suggestive landscapes, near the sea or set into the green.

The eight most beautiful villages of Campania are Albori, Atrani, Castellabate, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Monteverde, Nusco and Sant’Agata de’ Goti.

Albori, with its colourful houses among the narrow streets, stands at the foot of Mt. Falerzio. A hamlet of Vietri sul Mare, on Amalfi Coast, owes its name to the Argonaut Arvo, who made that place his home. Or it means “trees”, from Latin albores, or maybe it recalls the ancient spring called “Albola”. In the main square, there is Santa Margherita church, with Neapolitan school frescoes, some painted by Solimena. [charme-gallery]For food lovers, the traditonal menu is made up penne “alla cuppitiello”, with fresh vegetables, fresh fish and “palle di ciuccio”, sweet potatoes coquettes, accompanied by local wines.

Near Alberi, stands Atrani, with its picturesque beach all around the residential area. With the lights of the houses at night Atrani looks like a crib scene. This village has kept intact the original Medieval structure with the characteristic “scalinatelle”, the old-age San Salvatore de Birecto church, founded in 940 a.C., Santa Maria Maddalena, with its majolica dome. Along the way to Amalfi there is the Grotta dei Santi, part of a Benedictine monastery of the 9^th century with Byzantine style frescoes. We suggest to try ‘o sarchiapone, a the green pumpkin, with a glass of red wine like Furore or Tramonti. (followed by the second part)