naviquan

This is a picture of a map displayed in piazza Flavio Gioia, Amalfi, Italy. The map is published by http://www.carteguide.com/ - the Italian publisher of maps of Amalfi, Ravello, Ravello, Scala, Positano, Vietri, Furore, Cetara, Praiano, Sorrento, Salerno and Capri. We overlaid on top of it an arrowed line representing our itinerary (with various colors corresponding to different parts of the photo gallery).

If you remeber, we started our Amalfi tour on piazza Flavio Gioia - this photo is to remind about this. Our next destination is the eastern part of the town. You see it in the background of the photo.

The view on the town of Amalfi (Italy) from the eastern pier. This photo shows the eastern part of the town.

View on "Spiaggia Grande" (Large Beach) from the eastern pier of the Amalfi "port." The pines on the picture mark Corso della Repubblica Marinara - this street is a part of SS 163 (Strada Amalfitana). Post office, tourist agency and municipal offices are located on this street/area.

If you enter Amalfi from the east side (Salerno), the part of SS163 Torre di S. Francesco becomes via Pantaleone Comite. After that the name changes to Corso della Repubblica Marinara. Once you pass piazza Flavio Gioia, it becomes via Matteo Camera and exits the town as via Salvatore Quasimodo.

Corso della Repubblica Marinara (Amalfi, Italy) is a stretch of of SS163 (also called Strada Amalfitana) in the central/eastern part of the town. Post office, tourist agency and municipal offices are located on this street/area.

View from Corso della Repubblica Marinara (Amalfi, Italy) on piazza Flavio Gioia. By the way, the pedestrian area between the Corso and "Spiaggia Grande" is rather large. I guess it was large enough to deserve its own name - Viale della Regione - which you may see on some maps and addresses.

The eastern part of the Amalfi center is less interesting than the area around piazza Duomo. Because of this we are not going to spend too much time here. Still, there are several things to see (and try) - most notably two beaches located here. Actually, speaking geographically, there is one: Spiaggia Grande. But from practical standpoint there are two taking into account facilities located here.

The first bathing establishment (located next to piazza Flavio Gioia) is Marina Grande (Viale della Regione, 4, 84011 Amalfi, Italia). This is a very popular place among people coming to Amalfi and for a good reason. It has an excellent restaurant, bar and private beach. All Marina Grande facilities are managed very well.

View on Marina Grande (Amalfi, Italy) restaurant and private beach from viale della Regione (a.k.a. Corso della Repubblica Marinara)

The second bathing establishment on Spiaggia Grande is Mar di Cobalto. You do not need reviews to understand that Mar di Cobalto offering is not as elaborate as the one you can find at Marina Grande. I would define Mar di Cobalto as a snack bar or cafe; a the same time they rent umbrellas and other things you may need at the beach.

View on Mar di Cobalto - its gated beach area and bar's terrace. Behind the Mar di Cobalto facilities you can see the beach area operated by Marina Grande. Finally, if look carefully you will see in the foreground a piece of free beach (marked by towels and absence of umbrellas).

The outdoor area belonging to Bar Amalfi Gran Caffé (Corso delle Repubbliche Marinare, 37/38, 84011 Amalfi, Italy). This place is trying to capitalize on its history - Gran Caffè has been at this location since 1936. I do not see though how the history, no matter how brilliant it was, can help those who come to this place in 2012.

The entrance to Bar Amalfi Gran Caffé is across the street (Corso delle Repubbliche Marinare). They have rather cozy inside area, but who wants to stay inside and miss a lovely sunny spot on the seafront overlooking the beach?

The long yellow structure extending over a good part of Corso delle Repubbliche Marinare would be really dull, unless this interesting work of ceramic art (for which Amalfi coast is known) places on the wall of the building.

A close-up on the piece of ceramic art I've just mentioned (Corso delle Repubbliche Marinare, Amalfi). It seems it shows various historical scenes and aspects of life in Amalfi. For example, I can clearly see a lemon tree and its fruits, paper making process, figures of merchants, sailors... I also see the Maltese cross, symbol of the order of Knights Hospitaller and the modern symbol of Amalfi.

One reason to keep in mind this unsightly yellow building on Corso delle Repubbliche Marinare is because it hosts "Azienda di Soggiorno e Turismo di Amalfi" (Amalfi Tourist Office). As any other similar offices spread across the country, it can be source of useful information and help.

Following our instinctive curiosity, we decided to take a look at the Amalfi's branch of "Azienda di Soggiorno e Turismo" and found this authentic boat called "galley" once participated in the Historical Regatta of Four Maritime Republics. Galleys dominated naval warfare in the Mediterranean Sea from the 8th century BC until development of advanced sailing in 16th century.

Galleys used in the Historical Regatta are reconstructed according to the original 13th century design. They are propelled by 8 oarsmen and steered by a helmsman. Galley hulls are painted in colors symbolizing a particular city represented by the vessel: Amalfi's color is blue.

Each galley carry the representative flag of its city on its stern and a specific animal figure (real or mystical) on its prow. Amalfi's animal is a winged horse. During the annual competition, teams from four cities compete to arrive first over the distance of two kilometers (1.24 miles).

Entrance to the restaurant Eolo (Via Pantaleone Comite, 3, 84011 Amalfi, Italy ) - one of the best, if not simply the best restaurant in Amalfi. The restaurant is under the same ownership/management as the Hotel Marina Riviera located nearby.

Let's make a few steps away from the seaside and Viale della Regione, but do not expect to see anything extraordinary. It is more about getting better idea about Amalfi town than anything else. In this photo we see piazza Municipio (where different municipal offices are located). The tourist infrastructure are not significant in this part of the town. The monument here is n memory of Amalfi citizens who died "for the glory of great Italy."

Another image of piazza Municipio in Amalfi (Italy) - perhaps not as glorious as the opposite part of the square. But that's Amalfi as it is.

Let's move from piazza Municipio inland. Here is Aurora Residence (Largo della Zecca, 2 - 84011, Amalfi, Italy). There are three apartments at this location that belong to the Hotel Aurora (which is on the other side of Amalfi, near its marina) - we'll talk about it in the last part of our photo gallery. Apartments are not expensive - from €630 to €840 for 7 nights (2012, including everything).

A view back from Largo della Zecca to piazza Municipio.

Largo della Zecca (Amalfi, Italy) is as far as you can come without climbing steps. From this point there are stairways (salite) that will eventually lead you the cemetery located higher on the slope of the hill.

Perhaps you do not realize that Largo della Zecca (Amalfi, Italy) is located right behind the Amalfi Cathedral.

No, we do not go any further. It's time to move to the western part of the Amalfi town center and explore its marina.