SORRENTO

Sorrento is a small city in Campania with 16.000 inhabitants. The town can be reached easily from Naples and Pompeii. Ferry boats provide services to Naples, Amalfi, Positano, Capri and Ischia. The town is famous for the production of limoncello, an alcoholic digestif made from lemon rinds. The position of Surrentum was very secure, protected by deep gorges. The only exception to its natural protection was 300 yards on the south-west where it was defended by walls, the line of which is necessarily followed by those of the modern town. The arrangement of the modern streets preserves that of the ancient town, and the disposition of the walled paths which divide the plain to the east seems to date in like manner from Roman times. Sorrento, is indeed the land of colours: brilliant or delicate hues depending on the change of the seasons. If you just pause a moment to observe how emotional a sunset can be when you gaze in the direction of Punta del Capo, of Ischia or Procida, the outlines of which can be seen clearly, you will be amazed by the variety of colours and the beauty of the scene. The Cathedral on Corso Italia has a Romanesque facade and its rather odd bell tower rests on an archway supported by four ancient columns. The 18th-century Palazzo Correale has some interesting murals and houses the Museo Correale, which contains a small collection of 17th and 18th century napolitan art, as well as an odd asoortment of Greek and Roman artefacts. The gardens offer views of the bay and steps lead down to the water. The church of St Francesco, near the Villa Comunale park and the tourist office, boats a bautiful, if mosest, cloister and is set in lovely gardens - the views up and down the coast are breathtaking.