The coastal area around the Amalfi fascinates on many levels: The Region is so beautiful that even the gods feel. The city was in the middle ages so important that it became the first Maritime Republic of Italy. And in Amalfi, and even the compass to be invented. Join us on a trip back in time!
Young Hercules is inconsolable. Much too young for his beloved nymph died. In spite of all his power, the son of Zeus was able to, and you don't Alcmene save. How should he live? In order to leave his grief behind, he brought her body to the most beautiful place in the earth, and founded there a city with your name on it: Amalfi.
A myth, as picturesque as the Amalfi coast. He has his permission, because no one knows exactly when and how Amalfi was founded. In less flowery sources soldiers of the Emperor Constantine as the founder of Amalfi be named. You should a have come in 320 ad from the Adriatic coastal town of Melphe, hence the Name dissipation (melphe).
The flowering of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi
However, the importance of Amalfi grew in the middle ages exponentially. The self-conscious politicians of the largely Autonomous city negotiated sent with the surrounding powers, with the Byzantines and the Lombards, and even with the Emperor and the Pope. 9. Century Amalfi ships deployed for the defence of Rome against the Saracens. Together with the fleets of Naples and Gaeta, the company managed to beat the Arab invaders. And so, Amalfi was the first of the four medieval Maritime republics of Italy. She was a role model for Genoa, Pisa and Venice. Even today, the four arms of the Italian merchant flag can be seen.
On special occasions the blue hoisted a white flag on the houses.
Amalfi was one of the most important Maritime areas, thanks to the collaboration with Byzantium.
The good relations between the coasts of Amalfi to Byzantium, carried the growth of the Region. Byzantium saw in Amalfi as a gateway to the Western Mediterranean sea, the merchants of the city had free access to all the ports in the Byzantine Empire. They used their Power and established bases in the major cities such as Constantinople, Cordoba, Beirut, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Cairo, Cyprus and Malta. 10. Century had become Amalfi hub in the trade between the Orient and the Occident. The Republic of even developed the first written law of the sea in Italy – the Tabula Amalphitana.
From the city to the pirate hideout
However, where there is much light there is also shadow: Internal unrest weakened Amalfi in the eleventh century. 1073 conquered by the Normans, the town and the rival Pisa struck in the 12th century. Century: After two devastating attacks in 1135 and 1137, the heyday was completed in Amalfi. But the merchants of the city remained engaged and developed a thriving trade relations with the Muslim Sicily and North Africa. Then struck the nature.
A by an earthquake-triggered Tsunami in November 1343 parts of the city to sink into the sea, it is the dependence of Pisa and Naples followed. Up to the middle of the 19th century. Century Amalfi was reached only by sea, and was the ideal pirate hideout. The production of paper and Pasta were branches of the main acquisition. In the years 1875/76 captured the Danish landscape painter, Carl Frederic Aagaard Amalfi with oil Paints on canvases. Maybe he was one of the founders of the tourism boom in the 20th century. Century, brought new life to the Region.
Between history and sailor's yarn
A man in medieval clothes looks at a device in his Hand. He is standing on a shaft of stone high above the footpath in the port of Amalfi. The Statue of Alfonso Balzico shows Flavio Gioia, the supposed inventor of the compass. Historically, the origin of the Navigator is not guaranteed, also the neighbouring village of Positano lays claim to him.
If this is true, it is, however, doubtful.
The compass was long before Gioia in use. The Chinese used since the 11th century. Century after Christ, a floating compass needle. In the Chinese compass to the South was the main direction. At the latest at the time of the Crusades Sailors of the Eastern Mediterranean from the compass and optimized heard him.
Of a dry compass, the speech is for the first Time in 1269. Some sources Flavio Gioia to write to this development. Whether this theory is true, it can't be doubt free. Is clear, however: The coasts of Amalfi are associated with the sea.
Odysseus and the sirens
Speaking of seafaring legends: Close to the Amalfi coast should be, Odysseus was the sound of the sirens almost driven mad. The Greeks saw the archipelago of Li Galli, near Positano as the home of the nymphs, the sailors with their singing enchanted. Those who followed the sound of the mythical beings – half – bird, half-human, was dedicated to the legend, after the death.
The wise sailor Odysseus seized, therefore, precautions: He glued his crew's ears with wax, before they approached the dangerous area. He had himself to the mast, tree tie, he was too curious to the song of the sirens. Fortunately, the team obeyed his command him to untie, as the danger was over, and Odysseus was able to escape.
The sirens are still pervasive in the Region – whether as a motif on pottery or as a namesake for Restaurants, bus companies, or hair salons. We have listened to our sailing journey, Often into the night, but there was nothing to be heard except the Wind in our sails ...
Photo sources: title image DinoPh/Shutterstock | post image 1 Viacheslav Lopatin/Shutterstock | post image 2 wjarek/Shutterstock | post image 3 FMilano_Photography/Shutterstock | post image 5+6 Gennaro DiBs/Shutterstock | post image 9 Rrrainbow/Shutterstock