Atrani is the smallest village on the Amalfi Coast, surrounded by rocks, and made up of intricate little alleys that depart from the enchanting Piazza Umberto I.
In this uniquely shaped village, the colorful houses are piled almost on top of each other, forming an intricate labyrinth that winds through an urban fabric of medieval origin.
Atrani's history is inextricably linked to the Maritime Republic of Amalfi, of which it was an integral part. Founded by the Romans, its importance grew in the Middle Ages, when it became a vital center for trade and navigation.
A visit to Atrani takes you on a journey with an atmosphere of times gone by. In the center of the village is the main square, a rare example of an open space among the dense buildings, looking onto which is the 10th-century Church of San Salvatore de' Birecto, known for hosting the coronation ceremonies of the Doges of Amalfi. The church is practically wedged between the buildings that surround it, and is distinguished by the straight staircase leading up to it, and the clock on the facade, positioned at the base of the small bell tower.
Another place of interest is the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, dating from 1274, which looks over the village from an elevated position on a scenic promontory. The church, enlarged and remodeled in 1753 with a white Rococo facade, contains 18th- and 19th-century paintings.
If you are not in a hurry, and are wearing comfortable shoes, I recommend walking down the long flight of steps from Piazza Umberto I to the Grotto of Masaniello, named after one of the main figures who led a major popular uprising in 1647 against the Spanish Habsburgs, regents of the Kingdom of Naples.
Let me leave you with an interesting fact: in 2019, Atrani was featured in an opera in three acts composed by Leonardo Leo from Naples and entitled "Dalla morte alla vita di Maria Maddalena". The opera was commissioned by the people of Atrani as an act of devotion to their patron saint in 1722, and had been lost without trace for a long time.
