POSITANO | COSTIERA AMALFITANA | ITALY

Positano, like the legendary Sirens of Li Galli, never fails to seduce Seen from the sea, Positano is set in a dramatic vertical panorama of colors; the green of the Monti Lattari, the white, pink, and yellow of the Mediterranean houses; the silvery grey of its pebble beaches; and the blue of the sea. The ancient Romans built a number of sumptuous villas on the coast of Positano, the ruins of which can be seen in the vicinity of the Church dell'Assunta. It is believed that the town, the original nucleus of which developed around a Benedictine abbey, was founded in the 9th century. The town grew considerably following the arrival of inhabitants from Paestum, who were fleeing Saracen incursions. After it was pillaged by Pisa in 1268, Positano increased its defenses, becoming similar to its powerful neighbor, Amalfi, with steep narrow roads, massive fortified walls, and a series of all-important watch towers. The majolica-tiled dome of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta can be seen from every corner of the town. A Byzantine-inspired icon of a Black Madonna, dating back to the 18th century, is conserved inside the church. In ancient times, a Turkish boat became beached just off the shores of what has since come to be known as Positano. Aboard the ship, there was a painting of the Virgin Mary. The captain heard the painting whisper "posa, posa" ('set me down, set me down') and obediently, threw the image into the sea. Miraculously, the ship floated free and was saved. The locals built a Church on the spot where the painting washed ashore, interpreting the episode as a sign that the Virgin had chosen their town as a resting place. The fortunes of Positano, like its roads, have continually risen and fallen: in 1343, the town was destroyed by a terrible tsunami and in the 15th century, it was the victim to continual attacks by Ottoman pirates. In the 18th century, Positano enjoyed a period of prosperity as a major port and trading hub. Following the unification of Italy and the opening of a number of new commercial routes, the town's importance began to decline, so much so that, in just a few decades, it was reduced to little more than a humble fishing village, many of the inhabitants of which decided to emigrate to the United States.