As I prepare for this journey, much of my headspace has been dedicated to the culture and environment of the place I’m about to move to. A better grasp of its history felt like getting one step closer, so here we go – a quick regional history orientation of how it all started and how we got here.
Early History of Amalfi
Our story begins with the Romans, who conquered the region as early as the 3rd century BC, taking over from the Etruscans. Today, remnants of Roman villas and Roman engineering sprinkle the coastline, evidence of their enduring legacy in the region. You might have even heard of Pompeii, an ancient city swallowed whole by the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The 830s: Time to Form a Federation
Between 830 and 840, towns along the coastline, including Positano and Capri, united to form a confederation of states later known as the Duchy of Amalfi. Fun fact: Maiori was the seat of the duchy’s admiralty back then.
This period marked the emergence of the Amalfi as a maritime power, setting the stage for centuries of prosperity and cultural exchange.
Medieval Times and the Rise of Villas
Fast forward to the medieval era, where the Duchy of Amalfi – its capital, the city of Amalfi – is a thriving hub of commerce and culture. This is when many of the stunning villas we see today began to take shape, built by wealthy merchants to symbolize their success.
Let’s Talk About Lemons
Cut to life before tourism: The early 20th century. Villages along the Amalfi Coast were relatively isolated and economically modest. Agriculture, particularly lemon cultivation, was a primary source of livelihood. Meanwhile, the British and other wealthy Europeans started to build villas and holiday homes along the Coast in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Mid-20th Century Chic: Gore Vidal and Jackie O
It’s the summer of 1962, and the Amalfi Coast is a playground for the rich and famous. First Lady Jackie O has finally taken up the advice of her distant relative, Gore Vidal, to summer in Ravello. Locals who remember her today speak of her fondly as a graceful presence who zipped around Ravello in a custom Fiat 600, courtesy of her paramour, the famed Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli.
Revenge Travel: The Instagram Boom
Finally, we arrive at the present – an era I like to call the ‘Instagram Boom.’ People who were once cooped up in quarantine go out into the world with a voracious appetite for ‘revenge travel.’ They flock to the picturesque destinations that had been bookmarked during the pandemic years. Amalfi becomes an Instagram sensation overnight.
So there you have it: a brief but sufficient timeline of Amalfi Coast history. It goes without saying that there’s so much more to learn, but this should be enough to keep up with my diaries.
