Ravello, Amalfi Coast: a town of music and gardens

Ravello is one of the most popular destinations on the Amalfi Coast. Indeed, the charming town is famous for the Ravello Music Festival, the wonderful Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, and the unforgettable panorama.

Let’s find out more!

VISITING RAVELLO

Ravello Music Festival

The Ravello Music Festival is one of the most important music events in Italy and Europe. It started in 1953 thanks to the composer and conductor Vittorio Gui, and it takes place every year between August and September.
At the time, Gui had the brilliant idea of setting up a festival and chose Ravello because of its unique acoustic and scenographic conditions. In particular, Villa Rufolo provides the perfect setting for open-air concerts.

And it was in Villa Rufolo that the famous composer Wagner composed his opera Percival. For this reason, even today part of the Ravello Music Festival program is dedicated to his works. However, the festival, which this year celebrates its 70th edition, is an excellent opportunity to enjoy concerts by international orchestras as well as jazz, pop and opera soloists. In addition, performances by famous dancers and choreographers are held, and it is possible to visit exhibitions or meet VIPs.

Among all the events, one si truly extraordinary: the Concert at Dawn at the Belvedere of Villa Rufolo.
If you participate in the concert you will live a unique experience. You will sit in your place when it is still night, in front of you there will be a stage suspended over the sea, and while the musicians will be playing accompanied by the sound of the waves, here will come the dawn. The sky will become clearer and clearer and the panorama of cliffs and infinite sea more and more defined. Believe us, it is an event of touching beauty which is hard to describe.

Villa Ruolo

So, Villa Rufolo is the main set of the Music Festival. But it is also a place worth visiting.
This beautiful 13th-century villa was once the summer residence of an important Italian family, the Rufolo’s. Nowadays, it belongs to the Wagner Society and it is open to the public.

Villa Rufolo is particularly famous for its romantic gardens, which are one of the most beautiful in Italy. Consider that they were designed by English painter William Turner in 1835!
The gardens feature a variety of exotic plants, tree-lined avenues, flowering bushes, expanses of grass, historic buildings, fountains and statues. However, one of the most enchanting corners of the garden is the Belvedere, from which you can admire a fantastic view of the sea. It is also where the Concert at Dawn is held.

Villa Cimbrone

Villa Cimbrone is another beautiful villa in Ravello. Built in the 11th-century, like Villa Rufolo it overlooks the Amalfi Coast and has stunning gardens, designed by English landscape architect Gertrude Jekyll. Somebody says that the gardens of Villa Cimbrone are even better than those of Villa Rufolo. We leave it up to you to decide if that’s true! What is certain is that the six hectares of historic park are one of the most important examples of English landscape, botany and culture in the Mediterranean area.
Walking through the gardens you will see exotic and local plants, ancient temples, reconstructions of caves, statues and a multitude of flowering bushes. The most beautiful corner of Villa Cimbrone? Undoubtedly the Terrace on the Infinite. It is a natural balcony decorated with a balustrade and marble busts from the 18th century that opens in front of the sea. From here you can admire one of the most beautiful and wide views of the entire Amalfi Coast.

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