S. ANTONINO BASILICA
It was built in XI century on a former oratory dedicated to S.
Antonino (of IX century). In the past this church was also the
centre of a heretical movement. The middle nave of the church has
a painted ceiling with rose-windows. In the middle there is a painting
portraying S. Antonino during an exorcism.
There are also interesting paintings by Giovanni del Po portraying
important events of the story of the town. Others interesting objects
are the relics of S. Antonino; a crib of 1700; a silver statue
portraying S. Antonino.
SEDIL DOMINOVA
Domus novae (Dominova) was made in XVI century and it is the only
ancient noble seat in Campania.
It is in Renaissance style with a quadrangular portico and a small
meeting room where noblemen of Sorrento met to discuss political
issues. The building is decorated by buildings and by the coats
of arms of the most important noble families of Sorrento.
CATHEDRAL
The cathedral was built in XI century and was completely restructured
in XV century in Romanic style. The bell tower is original and
has three floors and Roman architectural elements.
The shape is that of a Latin cross. The pulpit has elegant marble
columns and panels; there is a wonderful organ of 1897; the wooden
choir stalls is carved portraying the Apostles and other Saints;
there are several interesting paintings about martyrs and saints.
S. FRANCESCO CLOISTER
In the convent (near the church) dedicated to Saint Francis there
is a beautiful cloister of 1300 supported by octagonal columns
with arches in Arabian style. Now the cloister is the setting for
music concerts and art exhibitions.
VILLA COMUNALE
The gardens of Villa Comunale were created to replace the ancient
gardens of San Francesco monastery. The gardens offer a beautiful
view over the sea; you will admire the Gulf of Naples dominated
by Mount Vesuvius. There are two bronze busts portraying two important
people for Sorrento, celebrated in this way by the town: Bartolomeo
Capasso and F. Saverio Gargiulo.
VIA S. CESAREO
In the ancient heart of the town there is a beautiful road, Via
San Cesareo, sided by the most elegant palaces of the town, of
1600 and 1700. They are a beautiful example of Baroque style with
their elegant portals.
PIAZZA TASSO
This square is the heart of Sorrento and it was dedicated to the
most famous person that was born in Sorrento: Torquato Tasso. The
famous Italian poet was born in 1544. In the past this square was
called Largo castello because there was a castle of XV century
(castello is castle). The castle was pulled down in 1843.
PORTA DI MARINA GRANDE
This is the ancient Greek entrance to the town; it still keeps
its original structure. Saracen pirates entered the town crossing
this entrance in 1558 and sacked it.
MARINA GRANDE
This is the biggest bay in the Gulf of Sorrento, and it has always
been the port of the town. Now there are the most famous shores
of Sorrento, with their lively colours.
CORREALEMUSEUM
The museum is in the palace that belonged to the noble family
of Naples, Correale family. It was inaugurated in 1924 and contains
important objects, such as Capodimonte porcelains of XVIII century
and paintings of '700 e '800 of the famous Posillipo school. At
the ground floor there is a section dedicated to findings from
excavations in Sorrento and on Sorrento Coast, pots, tombs (IX
to VI century b.C.) There is also a beautiful collection of fans
made between XVIII and XX. There is also a rich library with original
works by Torquato Tasso.
GEORGE VALLET ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The museum is in Villa de Sandro di Fondi. In this noble palace
decorated with frescoes of '700 and surrounded by a beautiful park
there are findings from excavations made on Sorrento Coast, dating
back to Neolithic period up to IV century b.C.
“BATH” OF QUEEN GIOVANNA - POLLIO FELICE’S VILLA
In Capo di Sorrento there are the remains of a wonderful Roman
villa belonged to Pollio Felice and described by poet Publio Papino
Stazio (45-96 a.C). This hamlet is also known as the bath of queen
Giovanna because population thought that queen Giovanna II di Durazzo
(who behaved in a very scandalous way) had her bath completely
naked in a picturesque creek of Capo di Sorrento. |
