ENGLISH * MAIORI
WE
ARE OVER THE MOUTH OF THE VALLE DI TRAMONTI. IN MAIORI, THE HOSES ARE ARRANGED
IN AN AMPHITHEATRE. THE GREAT DOME WITH MOJOLICA TILES BELONGS TO THE CHURCH
OF S. MARIA A MARE, FOUNDED IN THE TWELFTH CENTURY, BUT REBUILT SEVERAL TIMES
SINCE.
THE INTERIOR HAS A LARGE COFFERED CEILING, WITH GILDING, FROM THE SIXTEENTH
CENTURY, AND ON THE MAIN ALTAR THERE IS A POINTED WOODEN STATUE OF THE VIRGIN
WITH CHILD, FROM THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.
THERE IS A LEGEND WHICH SAYS THIS CAME FROM THE SEA. IN THE SANCTUARY OF S.
MARIA DELLE GRAZIE, THERE IS A NOTABLE FOURTEETH CENTURY "VISITATION", AND
A MARBLE BAPTISMAL FONT FROM THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
THIS CHURCH WAS REBUILT AFTER THE FLOODING OF 1910; SIMILAR REBUILDING WAS
CARRIED OUT IN THE TOWN AFTER THE 1954 FLOODS.
AFTER A SUPERB NATURAL ARCHWAY, IN THE VICINITY OF WHICH THERE ARE THE RUINS
OF AN ANCIENT BENEDECTINE ABBEY AND ITS CATACOMBS, THE SMALL TOWN WITH ITS
HOSES CROWDING CLOSE TO THE SEA IS
CETARA.
ENGLISH * MINORI
SET
IN A PLEASANT POSITION, HERE IS THE CHARMING LITTLE TOWN OF MINORI, THE ARSENAL
OF THE AMALFI REPUBLIC. AT MINORI TOO, TREASURES REMAIN FROM THAT PERIOD.
THERE IS THE INTERESTING BASILICA OF S. TROFIMENA, BUILT IN THE ELEVENTH AND
TWELFTH CENTURIES.
THE CRYPT UNDER THE PRESBYTERY IS PARTICULARLY NOTABLE: ON THE ALTAR THERE
IS AN URN WITH THE RELICS OF THE SAINT.
THE ANCIENT RUINS NEAR THE SEA BELONG TO THE FIRST CENTURY VILLA ROMANA.
ONLY THE GROUNDFLOOR, WITH A LARGE STUCCOED AND FRESCOED HALL, HAS BEEN PRESERVED
