Villa Rufolo — Attraction in Ravello

Probably my favorite thing to see in the Amalfi Coast! During the nice weather the views are beatiful!

Villa Rufolo is a historic villa in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. It is renowned for its stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. The villa dates back to the 13th century and was originally built by the wealthy Rufolo family. Over the centuries, it has undergone various restorations and changes, but its charm and cultural significance have remained intact.

Key Features of Villa Rufolo: Architectural Style: • The villa reflects a blend of Moorish, Arab-Sicilian, and Norman architectural styles, with intricate details that hint at its medieval origins. Gardens: • The terraced gardens of Villa Rufolo are one of its main attractions, featuring vibrant flowers, exotic plants, and manicured lawns. The gardens are perched on a cliff and offer panoramic views of the Amalfi Coast. The Belvedere: • A highlight of the villa is the belvedere, where you can see the iconic view of the gardens framed by the sea. This spot has been immortalized in countless photographs and is a must-visit. Cultural Importance: • Villa Rufolo has inspired many artists and writers over the years, including Richard Wagner, who visited in 1880. The villa’s gardens reportedly inspired him while composing the opera Parsifal. Today, the villa hosts the annual Ravello Festival, a prestigious music and arts festival. Historical Significance: • Throughout its history, the villa has been owned by prominent families and individuals, including Scottish industrialist Francis Neville Reid, who played a key role in restoring it during the 19th century.

Visiting Villa Rufolo: • Opening Hours: The villa is open to visitors year-round, but hours may vary depending on the season. • Tickets: Entrance requires a ticket, and guided tours are available. • Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer are ideal, as the gardens are in full bloom.

Villa Rufolo is a must-see for anyone visiting the Amalfi Coast, offering a perfect blend of history, art, and...

Villa Rufolo is a villa within the historic center of Ravello, a town in the province of Salerno, southern Italy, which overlooks the front of the cathedral square. The initial layout dates from the 13th century, with extensive remodeling in the 19th century.

Originally belonging to the powerful and wealthy Rufolo family who excelled in commerce (a Landolfo Rufolo has been immortalized by Boccaccio in the Decameron), it then passed by inheritance to other owners such as the Confalone, Muscettola and d'Afflitto.[citation needed]

Around the middle of the nineteenth century it was sold to the Scotsman Francis Neville Reid who took care of a general restoration, resulting in today's layout.[citation needed]

The villa is entered through an opening in the arched entrance tower, and after a short street a clearing is dominated by the Torre Maggiore: the latter facing the bell tower of the cathedral in Ravello, overlooking the terraces (upper and lower) as well as overlooking the Amalfi Coast and the Gulf of Salerno with flower gardens that are in bloom most of the year.[1]

Of particular interest among the rooms of the villa is a large courtyard elevated like a cloister and some rooms forming a small museum.[citation needed]

The German opera composer Richard Wagner visited the villa in 1880. He was so overcome by the beauty of the location that he imagined the setting as the garden of Klingsor in the second act of Parsifal. In commemoration, every year the lower garden of Villa Rufolo hosts a...

Unfortunately we visited on a drizzly cloudy day as we were scheduled ahead of time with our tour group. Before we entered we saw a wedding about to take place on a Tuesday? Yes we saw several weddings taking place in the middle of a work day in several parts of Italy. The Villa is a well preserved awesome old venue. It doesn’t take long to tour it and when you’re finished the views from the upper levels is amazing. It would have been better on a sunny day but it was still beautiful. There is a tower on the property that you can climb to view the property and have even better views of the area. It wasn’t a bad climb for someone my age(71). There are floating stairs which are pretty cool to see and use. Also as you climb there are a few things to look at and learn something. There is also a video on a loop that was nice to watch. My only complaint was when we reached the top it was surrounded by plexi glass. I understand the reason why, no falls, safety but it did hamper the view especially on a rainy day. That said I would still recommend taking the hike up. The best part of the visit was learning about the annual concert that takes place here. It is held outside on a temporary stage that is suspended over the cliffs hanging over the side of the cliffs. There are pictures to show how it is done. It’s an amazing way to add to the splendor of the area and another way to...