Ravello has it all. It is a picture post card setting with flowers and gardens galore, stunning sea views of the Mediterranean from multiple cliff levels, a massive square with cafes, shops, a magnificent church where chamber music concerts are held and an outdoor concert hall on top of the sea, with a history and reputation for music that attracts musicians as well as music lovers from around the world.

To purchase tickets to view the local sights, we found the museum next to the Ravello Cathedral in the main square where we were allowed entry to all the attractions for 12 euros. We took time to tour the museum and the church dedicated to St. Panteleone.  You could tell that there was a wedding planned for later because of the decorations, flowers, ribbons and the long floor covering. A quartet was practicing their music arrangements for the nuptial ceremony.

If you should decide to attend an evening concert, you can arrive by the Sita bus. To go to Ravello, you would take a ride to Amalfi and then transfer at the same station for transport to Ravello. To return, you will have to arrange for a taxi. The taxi company, Benvenuto has a shuttle service specifically for this purpose. (See link below)

This is how the town’s webite, Ravello.com describes their sophisticated, cultured and exquisite city of music, Ravello:

“Thousands of years of history, an enchanting mountaintop setting on Italy’s most beautiful coastline and views that have captivated countless souls, inspired artists and filled hearts with passion – this is Ravello. Yet it’s just the beginning of what you will find in this charming village on the Amalfi Coast. There are still stories to be uncovered along its medieval streets, garden villas and ancient stone pathways. Ravello has been named the City of Music and is home to the Ravello Festival, the striking Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer and a vibrant cultural scene.”

“We invite you to discover the natural beauty, history and magic of Ravello.”

Richard Wagner’s Influence on the City Of Music as explained in the Ravello.com website:

“The Villa Rufolo, which overlooks the Piazza Vescovado (main square and near entrance to Ravello), is the historical and cultural center of Ravello. Built by a wealthy merchant family in the 13th century, the villa has a rich and storied past. Boccaccio, one of the earliest authors of the Italian renaissance, wrote a story about the villa and its owner in his Decameron, which was published in 1353. In its prime, it was one of the largest and most expensive villas on the Amalfi Coast, and legends grew about hidden treasure on its premises. In the 14th century the Rufolo family hosted banquets for King Robert II of Naples and other Norman royalty.”

“When Richard Wagner, the famous German composer, visited the villa in 1880 he was so impressed by what he saw that he famously exclaimed, “I have discovered Klingsor’s garden.” Wagner, who was 67 years old at the time of his visit, was so inspired that he stayed in Ravello long enough to write the second act of Parsifal, an opera that he had been working on for over two decades. If he had not visited the Villa Rufolo, he might never have completed the opera, for he died just three years later.”

“Today, Wagner’s spirit lives on in Ravello. The town has become known as “la città della musica“, the city of music, and for the past several decades the Villa Rufolo has been the center of an annual summer concert series that features piano concerts, chamber music, and a grand orchestral performance on a stage built jutting out over the Mediterranean Sea and the rugged Amalfi Coast below.”

From “Feeling  Italy” blog: “The city of Ravello, and the neighboring locations, offer many historical places to visit:  The Cathedral of Ravello ( Church of St. Panteleone) was been founded in 1086 by the Bishop Orso Papirio. It’s told that the bronze door, by Parisano da Trani, was carried out in the city of Constantinople and consequently transferred to Ravello by sea. It is divided into 54 squares, each showing Saints, Stories of Passion and different features. In the crypt you can find the museum, rich in Roman finds, sarcophagus and sculptures.

Villa Rufolo

The Sicilian Arab architecture, the Moresque cloister, the terrace on the sea and the garden full of exotic flowers are the heritage that the tourist can admire in Villa Rufolo. From the vestibule of the entrance tower, decorated with small arches inter-laced to the walls, having in each corner statues representing the Charity and the Hospitality practiced by (those in) Rufolo, you can reach the three floors palace through a tree lined path. On the left side you can see the major tower, which is 30 meters high; on the right there’s a courtyard which is like a small cloister. The estate which enchanted many musicians from Wagner- who found inspiration for the music and the scenes of his Parsifal- to Giuseppe Verdi, gives hospitality to the yearly Music Festival, to which lots of famous orchestras and soloists take part.

Villa Cimbrone

In the core of a wonderful garden, among forest trees and flowers of any kind you can find the temple of Cerere and the lookout for Mercury from which you can enjoy an unmatchable view of the Amalfi Gulf. At the entrance, there’s a building with twin lancet windows and two little towers. The building goes back to the XII century, and it’s design allows the tourist to enjoy an unmatchable view of the Amalfi Gulf.  At the entrance, there’s a building with twin lancet windows and two little towers. The building goes back to the XII century, and it’s erected on the ruins of a Roman estate. Anyway, only in the XX century, thanks to the interest of an English noble, William Beckett, the house enlivened and became a favorite meeting point for politicians, showmen and artists, from Churchill to D.H. Lawrence and Greta Garbo. Nowadays, part of the estate has been converted into a luxurious hotel, with rooms that preserve period furniture.”(The gardens are public; many weddings are held in these beautiful surroundings.)

RAVELLO FESTIVAL | Amalfi Coast www.ravellofestival.com/home.php Official website of the famous annual summer festival of music and arts, also popularly known as the “Wagner Festival”.

Garden Ravello | Hotel Ristorante Garden | Ravello lnx.gardenravello.com/ Please also note that no refund will be considered if the hotel was not … The Albergo Ristorante Garden is located at the centre of the historic village of Ravello, …

Cumpà Cosimo – Lonely Planet http://www.lonelyplanet.com › … › Campania › The Amalfi Coast › Ravello Lonely Planet All things to do in Ravello (29). Types Sights (6) Restaurants (6) … Cumpà Cosimo. restaurants / Italian … Cumpà Cosimo information. Location: Ravello…

Amalfi coast excursion, tour and transfer in Amalfi, Positano, Ravello … https://benvenutodriver.com/ Benvenuto driver offers its clients a professional  service  of car rental with driver. Excursion Amalfi, Positano…