Positano

Positano is a small town on the Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana), in Campania, Italy. The main part of the city sits in an enclave in the hills leading down to the coast.

Is considered one of the most beautiful and picturesque places of the world. Small houses, a magic atmosphere, beaches, the friendliness of the inhabitants, the hotels, give a great charm of this village. Tourists do love this village.
Positano was a prosperous port of the Amalfi Republic in the 16th and 17th centuries. But by the mid-19th century, the town had fallen on hard times. More than half the population emigrated, mostly to the United States of America.

Positano was a relatively poor fishing village during the first half of the 20th century. It began to attract large numbers of tourists in the 1950s, especially after John Steinbeck published his essay about Positano in Harper’s Bazaar in May, 1953: “Positano bites deep”, Steinbeck wrote. “It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone”.
The name ‘Positano’ can be traced back to two traditions. The historical version states that the name derives from Paestum, whose inhabitants sought refuge in the area during the invasions by Pirates. The other version is that the name derives from a voice which repeated ‘Posa, Posa’, heard when, during the transportation of a painting of the Virgin Mary, the boat met an incredible storm. The sailors sought shelter in the bay of what is today Positano and, as soon as the painting was placed on the shores, the storm subsided.

Positano has been featured in several films, including Only You (1994), and Under the Tuscan Sun (2003). It also hosts the annual Cartoons on the Bay Festival, at which Pulcinella awards for excellence in animation are presented. From July 1967 and through most of the 1970s, Positano was home of singer-songwriter Shawn Phillips and was where most of his best known work was composed. Also, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones wrote the song “Midnight Rambler” in the cafes of Positano while on vacation. Today, tourism is the by far the major industry in Positano.

Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana) World Heritage Patrimonie Mondial

Date of Inscription: 1997
Province of Salerno, Campania
Positano sat code: 40° 37’ 47.51’’ N - 14° 29’ 10.86’’ E
Ref: 830
Web site: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/830

The Amalfi coast is an area of great physical beauty and natural diversity. It has been intensively settled by human communities since the early Middle Ages. There are a number of towns such as Amalfi and Ravello with architectural and artistic works of great significance. The rural areas show the versatility of the inhabitants in adapting their use of the land to the diverse nature of the terrain, which ranges from terraced vineyards and orchards on the lower slopes to wide upland pastures.

Positano’s beach awarded for 11 years in a row with blue flag

This award is given to the beaches that offer cleanliness and safe bathing areas.
The Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label awarded to over 3300 beaches and marinas in 36 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, New Zealand, Canada and the Caribbean.