Villa Cimbrone is one of the jewels of Ravello and the Amalfi Coast.
Standing on a promontory overlooking a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea, Villa Cimbrone brightens up the village of Ravello. A lovely park full of statues, grottoes and fountains grows around the villa.
Villa Cimbrone Ravello can be reached by bus from Amalfi to Piazza Duomo in Ravello.
Villa Cimbrone: origins
The origin of the villa goes back to the 11th century, although what is currently visible of the structure and its garden is the result of a restyling by the English nobleman Lord Grimthorpe, an architect and philanthropist who lived at the end of the 19th century.
Classic literature had a huge influence on the restyling work, following the style of the Roman villas. Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, exactly like the imperial ‘Villae’, has numerous fountains, statues, nymphaeums and halls. The famous Terrazza dell’Infinito (Infinity Terrace) is a sheer drop to the sea that allows one to dream while admiring the sea that seems to be endless.
Villa Cimbrone in Ravello: What to see
With its immense gardens and enchanting views, the Villa occasionally organises weddings and banquets.
A hotel is located in the centre, while the gardens are open to the public. Let’s see what it offers:
- the cloister: after passing through the magnificent 16th century portal, the cloister welcomes visitors with an Arab-style courtyard;
- the Avenue of the Infinity. The main path through Villa Cimbrone Ravello takes visitors from the entrance to the Terrace of Infinity. The avenue is adorned with white and blue wisteria, and, in the springtime, gives a movie-like atmosphere;
- the statue of the Temple of Ceres. At the end of the Avenue of the Immense, we come to the Temple dedicated to the goddess of the harvest, with a dome-shaped pavilion that marks the end of the avenue and the entrance to the Terrace of Infinity;
- the Terrace of Infinity. The extreme point of Villa Cimbrone, when you step on the Terrace you are immersed in a space that seems infinite, where the sky and the sea merge: the panorama seems never-ending. The Terrace is a natural balcony overlooking the sea, and is decorated with marble busts created in the 18th century. The view of the glittering sea, on a clear day, offers a panorama of the Cilento mountains and the Amalfi Coast. The view is satiated, imagining the lemon groves typical of the Coast, with its colourful houses built into the hills.
- the Temple of Bacco. Along the footpath beyond the terrace you will reach the Temple of Bacchus. The temple was built by Lord Grimthorpe and his ashes are placed there.
- the statues of Eve and David. Set between the holm oaks and chestnut trees, the statues of Eve and David, specifically sculpted for the Villa by famous sculptors, can be seen.
- the tea room. After the stunning Italian garden, you can visit a Moorish-style pavilion, which houses a tea room with Corinthian columns and wonderful sculptures.
