The picturesque village of Positano is located in a unique panoramic position along one of the most fascinating coastal stretches of the Sorrento Peninsula, between Punta Germano and Capo Sottile.
Positano is a charming fishing village that runs up through cobblestone alleys, steep steps, and houses that climb up the hillside.
As you venture through its narrow streets, amid the brightly colored houses, you’ll come across small architectural gems such as the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its distinctive dome covered in yellow and blue majolica tiles. Inside, you can admire treasures such as the Bust of St. Vitus and the shepherds from the nativity scene dating back to the 1700s. The high altar also hosts the 12th-century Byzantine icon of the Black Madonna and Child.
Near the church is the Roman Archaeological Museum, which offers access to a villa from the 1st century AD, and to two crypts, one of them from the Middle Ages. The villa was covered by the volcanic eruption in 79 AD, but traces of the triclinium are visible, with well-preserved frescoes and floor mosaics.
In the delightful Punta Reginella district is the Church of Santa Caterina, erected by local merchants who traded with Alexandria in Egypt, with its original 18th-century altar.
Along the historic center and the beaches, you'll notice Positano's striking Saracen towers rising above the sea as evidence of the period when they played a crucial role in defending the local population from Saracen and Turkish pirates. Among the best known are the Clavel or Fornillo Tower, the Rienzo Tower, the Trasita Tower and the Sponda Tower, dating from different periods.
If you love to walk, numerous hiking trails start out from Positano, including the famous Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods), which runs from Agerola to the charming village of Nocelle in the Positano hills. With its breathtaking views, this trail offers a unique opportunity to explore the surrounding nature.
An interesting fact: The name Positano is linked to a legend about a sacred icon of the Virgin Mary that was transported by ship around 1100. The sailing ship found itself in the open sea, unable to return to the shore due to the absence of wind. Suddenly, a voice came from the icon, shouting "Posa, Posa!" meaning "stop here," so the icon was moved to Positano, to the Church of Santa Maria dell'Assunzione.
