Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Piazza Duomo; museum admission €2; 8.30am-1pm & 4.30-8pm) Forming the east-
ern flank of Piazza Duomo, the cathedral was originally built in 1086 but has since under-
gone various makeovers. The facade is 16th century, even if the central bronze door, one
of only about two dozen in the country, is an 1179 original; the interior is a late 20th-cen-
tury interpretation of what the original must once have looked like.
Of particular interest is the striking pulpit, supported by six twisting columns set on
marble lions and decorated with flamboyant mosaics of peacocks, birds and dancing lions.
Note also how the floor is tilted towards the square - a deliberate measure to enhance the
perspective effect. To the right of the central nave, stairs lead down to the cathedral mu-
seum displaying a modest collection of religious artefacts.
Villa Rufolo
( 089 85 76 57; Piazza del Vescovado; adult/reduced €5/3; 9am-sunset)
To the south of Ravello's cathedral, a 14th-century tower marks the entrance to this villa,
famed for its beautiful cascading gardens. Created by a Scotsman, Scott Neville Reid, in
1853, they are truly magnificent, commanding celestial panoramic views packed with
exotic colours, artistically crumbling towers and luxurious blooms. On seeing the gardens
on 26 May 1880, Wagner was moved to write: 'Finally, the enchanted garden of Klingsor
[setting for the second act of the opera Parsifal ] has been found'.
The villa was built in the 13th century for the wealthy Rufolo dynasty and was home to
several popes as well as King Robert of Anjou. Today the gardens are used to stage con-
certs during the town's classical music festival.
GARDENS
Villa Cimbrone
Offline map Google map
( 089 85 80 72; Via Santa Chiara 26; adult/reduced €6/3; 9am-sunset) Some way
east of Piazza Duomo, the early 20th-century Villa Cimbrone is worth a wander, if not for
the 11th-century villa itself (now an upmarket hotel), then for the fabulous views from the
delightful gardens. They're best admired from an awe-inspiring terrace lined with
classical-style statues and busts. Something of a bohemian retreat in its early days, the
villa was frequented by Greta Garbo and her lover Leopold Stokowski as a secret hide-
away. Other illustrious former guests included Virginia Woolf, Winston Churchill, DH
Lawrence and Salvador Dalı.
GARDENS
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Ravello Festival
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