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SORRENTO To the hurrying tourist or superficiai vacationer, Sorrento, the houses of which are situated among thick olive and orange trees on a plateau surrounded by the Lattari Mountains bordered to one side by steep cliffs, may appear to be only a tranquil bathing and tourist centre and yet Sorrento has a long and interesting history.Its origin goes back to the VII century BC when it was founded by Phoenicians after having passed under Sannitic rule during the IV century BC it became a Roman colony in the III century BC becoming a «Municipium» in the I century BC.  In this way “Surrentum” became a centre frequented by nobles whose villas faced the marvellous view of the Gulf. The typical antique layout of a Roman city may still be seen and infact Via S. Cesareo and Via Fuoro follow what was the old “decumanus maximus” while Via Tasso corresponds to the old “cardo maximus”. Near the centre are a few modest remains of Roman building but two gates, one in Via Parsano and the other at Marina Grande, are weIl preserved. After its Roman period Sorrento passed successively under the dominion of the Goths, Byzantines and the Norrnans and then the various charges of the Kingdom of Naples fìnally taking an important role in the constitution of the Partenopean Republic in 1799.  In the meantime the small city developcd until it reached its present pleasant aspect as a tourist centre. Sorrento also boasts both artisric and literary traditions: Torquato Tasso, the poet who wrote “Jerusalem Liberated” was born there in 1544, whilst among the monuments to be visited we must include: The cloister of San Francesco in the church of the same name which is in a decidedly Gothic architectural style. The Sedile Dominova of the XVI cebntury also in Gothic style. The Duomo, the primitive architecture of which has been masked by numerous additions and where there are numerous precious tapestries preserved.The Basilica of S. Antonino which goes back to the XI century. And finally numerous other churches and building which testify to the artìstic vitality and architectural evolution of Sorrento. Extremely important is the Correale Museum of Terranova where there are numerous art collections and part of which is dedicated to archeologicai findings (basereliefs, vases, fumituie etc.) brought to light in the numerous excavations surrounding Sorrento. Another part of the museum is dedicated to Neapolitan art, ceramic plates and vases, porcelarn from Capodimonte, fumiture, paintings on wood dating back to the XV century and tapestries from the School of Posillipo the most important being Gigante, Palizzi, Duclére and Pitloo. |
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