In the village of Ravelo, literally around the corner from Villa Rufolo, another villa is picturesquely perched on a mountainside. Villa Cimbrone. The mother of all villas!
As we approach, we cast an admiring glance to the right and...
Welcome!
Villa Cimbrone stands on the rocky outcrop of Cimbronium. (What a coincidence!). The first mentions of it date back to the 11th century, but as is typical in Italy, everything was rebuilt in the early 20th century…
The reconstruction does not raise any objections... Gothic, Moorish, and Venetian styles are mixed quite harmoniously.
Villa Cimbrone is now a hotel. But I didn't notice. Virginia Woolf, Henry Moore, T.S. Eliot, Winston Churchill, and Greta Garbo have all visited the villa. You have a chance to be on that list.
The villa's most beautiful feature is the Infinity Terrace. Naturally, we ran there first…
This is awesome! It's strictly contraindicated for those with agoraphobia.
This is the view that opens up if you look to the left.
This is if you look to the right..
And this is what it looks like if you look down. Below is the town of Atrani, and beyond the mountain is the town of Amalfi. It's even zoomed in with a telephoto lens. It's actually so high it's almost breathtaking.
And these are the statues of the Infinity Terrace next to which everyone takes photos...
Portrait.
This one didn't want the portrait and turned away.
This one doesn't care.. He's a tombstone.
As the inscription reads: "Lost to a world that no longer needs me, I sit alone in harmony with my heart.
Being in my little corner of the earth, I am glad that I came and do not regret that I left…"
And this mademoiselle was embarrassed by the unceremonious photographer. Boor!
Geometry rules! I also liked Villa Cimbrone for its extensive gardens. There's plenty of room for leisurely strolls. There's an outdoor cafe among the giant pine trees. You can sip tea there with pomp. There are also huge pine cones scattered all around. We took some as a souvenir.
Bang!
Monument to Panikovsky?
The villa is simply overflowing with all sorts of architectural goodies. Sorry, delights.
Fountains, gazebos... there's a beautiful pole...
And suddenly, Donatello. The statue of David...
After a walk through the garden, we took a leisurely look around the Villa itself.
Closer.
You can't go anywhere in southern Italy without the Madonna.
Here, in the Columned Hall, they hold wonderful nightly chamber music concerts. Some say the coolest time to visit is during a full moon.
By candlelight.
It's very atmospheric here.
This is the view from the hall for ordinary tourists during the day. What awaits dedicated listeners at night, especially during a full moon... Phew... I can't even imagine.
And finally, appreciate the scale! (Individual busts can be discerned on the Infinity Terrace.)
Well, something like this...
Source: travel.ru