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SORRENTO
Sorrento,
known as Surrentum 2000 years ago, is situated at the southern
extremity of the bay. For this strategic position it was a
sort of guardian for all the ships coming from south,
but also more exposed to attacks from all sort of invaders.
Probably founded by Greeks in VI century
it passed later to Rome
after the Samnite wars (295 b.C.) and became later episcopal
seat in 420 a.D. Annexed by Byzantins to the Western Roman
Empire it suffered then incursions by Saracens. After the
Normans, the Svevians' and the Angionins' dominations Sorrento
followed the same history of Naples
till its annexation to the Reign of Italy (1860).
Today Sorrento is a pleasant touristic city out of the more
chaotic Naples, offering
interesting cultural visits (Museum Correale,
Duomo, Cloister of Saint Francis,
etc) and a nice chance for shopping in the old alleys tasting
its famous Limoncello (lemon liquor) or to
appreciate its nice inlayed wood artifatcs.
It’s remarkable the view from its high cliffs
on the bay of Naples or
at the nearby island of Capri
to which once was united.
Roman ruins of Cape Sorrento are worthy of
visiting if you have time for bit longer stay, as they are
out of town.
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