Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Apostle. The fresco facing the crypt's altar is by Neapolitan baroque maestro Aniello Fal-
cone.
The pint-sized
Chiostro del Paradiso
was built in 1266 to house the tombs of Amalfi's
prominent citizens. From here you enter the
Basilica del Crucifisso
(closed January and
February), the town's original 9th-century cathedral, itself built on the remains of an earli-
er palaeo-Christian temple. It's home to a small but fascinating collection of ecclesial
treasures.
Museo della Carta
( 089 830 45 61;
www.museodellacarta.it
;
Via delle Cartiere 23; admission €4; 10am-6.30pm)
Amalfi's paper museum is housed in a 13th-century paper mill (the oldest in Europe). It
lovingly preserves the original paper presses, which are still in full working order, as
you'll see during the 15-minute guided tour (three-day advance booking requested for
English tour) which explains the original cotton-based paper production and the later
wood-pulp manufacturing.
Clued up, you may well be inspired to pick up some of the stationery sold in the gift
shop, alongside calligraphy sets and paper pressed with flowers.
MUSEUM
Museo Arsenale Amalfi
( 089 87 11 70; Largo Cesareo Console 3; admission €2; 10am-1.30pm & 3.30-7pm)
Amalfi's
other museum of note is home to the
Tavole Amalfitane,
an ancient manuscript draft of
Amalfi's maritime code, and other historical documents. Harking back to Amalfi's days as
a great maritime republic, the museum is housed in the cavernous Arsenale, once the
town's main shipbuilding depot.
MUSEUM
Activities
For all its seafaring history, Amalfi's main beach is not a particularly appealing swimming
spot. If you're intent on a dip, think about hiring a boat. You'll find a number of operators
along Lungomare dei Cavalieri, charging about €50 for a couple of hours.
Grotta dello Smeraldo
(Emerald Grotto; admission €5; 9am-4pm summer, to 3pm winter)
Four kilometres west of
Amalfi, Conca dei Marini is home to one of the coast's most popular sights. Named after
the eerie emerald colour that emanates from the water, the Grotta dello Smeraldo is well
worth a visit. Stalactites hang down from the 24m-high ceiling, while stalagmites grow up
GROTTO
