Ravello’s Villas and Gardens

  ItalyItalia's Travel Guide for Campania: Laura Thayer

Perched high in the mountains and offering breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast, Ravello is one of the top vacation spots for many visitors to Campania. Walking through the town's often narrow and steep pathways, you can catch glimpses of the blue sea and rugged coastline. A visit to two of Ravello’s highlights, the Villa Rufolo and the Villa Cimbrone, offers you the chance to relax in beautiful garden settings and enjoy some of the best views of the Amalfi Coast.

Located just steps from the Church of San Pantaleone and the Piazza Duomo in Ravello, an impressive tower marks the entrance to the Villa Rufolo. Built in the late 13th century by Ravello’s prominent and wealthy Rufolo family, the villa was highly praised in its day for its beautiful architecture, elaborate decorations, and harmonious balance of Arabic, Sicilian and Norman styles. The villa was bought in 1851 by the Scotsman Francis Neville Reid, a great lover of the arts, who restored much of the villa and created the romantic 19th century gardens you can visit today.

Exploring the peaceful villa grounds, you will find lush gardens tucked around every corner. The panorama of the Amalfi Coast and the beautiful gardens are the highlight of the Villa Rufolo. It was here in 1880 that the great German composer Richard Wagner found the inspiration for the “enchanted gardens of Klingsor” for his opera Parsifal. The musical tradition continues today, with music and dance concerts taking place on a special stage constructed overlooking the spectacular view.

Following the Via San Francesco from the Piazza Duomo in the center of Ravello you head up a steep footpath to the Villa Cimbrone. The villa’s beautiful grounds had been abandoned and neglected until they were rediscovered and purchased by the English traveller Ernest William Beckett, Lord Grimthorpe, at the beginning of the 20th century. Beckett fell in love with the beautiful villa, which he restored with an eclectic mix of architectural styles and a delightful combination of English and Italian landscape designs.

Following the garden pathway from the main entrance takes you to the aptly named 'Terrace of Infinity'. Standing on the terrace lined with marble statues, the sky and the sea appear to blend seamlessly in one awe-inspiring panorama. From here you can see an expansive view of the Gulf of Salerno, the sparkling sea, and the houses which cling to the hillsides along the Amalfi Coast. The gardens of the Villa Cimbrone welcome you back with flower lined pathways and hidden corners, a comforting feeling after experiencing the thrill of the panorama from the Terrace of Infinity.

Whether you are drawn to Ravello for the stunning views, beautiful architecture, music festivals, or the romantic gardens, grab your camera and visit the Villa Rufolo and the Villa Cimbrone for some unforgettable holiday memories.

 Text and photos by Laura Thayer