ITA

Maiori Jewels

…for those who love the light, the scent of the sea, the lush greenery of lemon groves and vineyards that reach down to the beach…Maiori is the place to be. As a guest of Hotel Residence San Pietro!

Frequented by the Etruscans, Greeks, and later the Romans, Maiori, originally known as Reghinna Major during the Maritime Republic era, was the commercial heart of the small state, home to the general warehouses, arsenals, and the Admiralty, a crossroads of trade between the coast and the agricultural hinterland. On September 8, 1943, it was the site of the Allied troops’ landing that freed Italy from the Nazis. In 1954, it was transformed by a disastrous flood. This was followed by a tumultuous reconstruction that achieved a remarkable fusion of ancient and modern, marrying the ancient city walls and the fishermen’s quarters with modern hotels, a magnificent promenade, the longest equipped beach on the Coast, gardens, and fountains…

Maiori hosts important monuments: the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria a Mare, the Mezzacapo Palace, the Convent of San Francesco, the Castle of San Nicola de Thoro-Plano, the only survivor of the impressive defensive system of the Duchy of Amalfi, and the wonderful abbey of Santa Maria de Olearia.

It also boasts an exceptional painting tradition, which peaked in the first half of the last century with the Costaioli movement, as well as a consolidated cinematic tradition that began in the latter half of the 1940s with Roberto Rossellini. Those were the years of the blissful idyll with Anna Magnani, the arrival of Ingrid Bergman, and the first scenes of jealousy. Between romantic walks and furious arguments, Paisà in 1946, Love and The Machine that Kills Bad People in ’48, and Journey to Italy in 1953 came to life. In his film casts, there were always inhabitants of Maiori and the Amalfi Coast, described by the director as “crazy sun-drunk people, who believe they’ve seen the Devil…”

Maiori and the Hotel Residence San Pietro are located just a few kilometers from Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, Paestum, Pompeii, Sorrento… less than an hour from Capri, a bit more from Ischia and Procida!

Finally, the Hotel Residence San Pietro is the ideal location to take part in the fantastic events that enrich the traditions and folklore of Maiori, as well as for wonderful walks in the lush greenery and among the lemon groves of the Amalfi Coast.

Collegiata di Santa Maria a Mare

This beautiful church, which dominates the town center, was built in the 13th century to house the statue of Santa Maria a Mare, found on the beach of Maiori by fishermen in 1204.

The interior, with three naves, features a beautiful coffered ceiling, made in 1529 by the Neapolitan painter Alessandro De Fulco, and along the side altars, statues and paintings that date from the 16th to the 18th century. In the crypt, the Clemente Confalone Museum of Sacred Art is set up, which, among numerous works of art, houses: a low-relief carved alabaster altarpiece, the largest in Italy; a 14th-century inlaid ivory reliquary; the statue of the Assumed Madonna, which on August 15, at the climax of a well-attended procession, devout sailors carry back to church, running up the Holy Stairs, mimicking the heavenly “Assumption” into the sky.

The land of Marchesi Mezzacapo

The powerful family that dominated the economic, social, and political life of Maiori and part of the Amalfi Coast has left in the town:

A Palace, worth visiting to admire the sparkling “Hall of Mirrors” and the paintings by the “Costaioli” artists.

The Italian Gardens, designed in the shape of a Maltese Cross, with pathways adorned with roses overlooking ponds filled with water from the Reginna river to provide relief during the sweltering summer months.

A Castle, whose bizarre shape, according to tradition, was inspired by the illustration on a matchbox.

A saying, Guido, “’o Marchese ’e Majiure”, became proverbial because, after lunch, he used to stand on the palace balconies and proclaim: “when I have eaten, the whole world is fed!”

Santa Maria de Olearia

The settlement was founded at the end of the 10th century by the hermit Peter, who chose to reside in a large cave.

The holy man was later joined by his nephew Giovanni, who, although only twelve years old, is said to have sported a thick white beard, which appeared following an encounter/confrontation with “the Devil”. In a short time, numerous followers joined the two hermits, transforming the hermitage into a Marian cenobium, consisting of three overlapping chapels.

On the first floor, where the oldest room is located, one can see: the fresco of the Praying Madonna, between Saints Paul and George, and the monks’ cells, which over the centuries have been used as funeral chambers. Hence the name “catacombs” locally given to the complex, and a whole series of beliefs about mysterious presences… The room above, consisting of two naves, served as a church. The environment features interesting frescoes, attributed to Leone Amalfitano, a Benedictine monk who lived in the 11th century. A short staircase finally connects to the last chapel, frescoed with the Miracles of Saint Nicholas of Bari.

Ferragosto

The Midsummer Week in Maiori translates into a series of events that bridge the sacred and the profane.

They culminate on August 15th, with the statue of the Assumed Madonna, which after being paraded through the streets of the town, is brought back into the church by skilled sailors who dash up the Holy Stairs. The “race” symbolizes the “heavenly assumption” into the sky of the Mother of God. At midnight, the celebrations close with a fantastic fireworks display over the sea.

Gran Carnevale Maiorese

The most beautiful Carnival of the Amalfi Coast.

Along the wide promenade, to the rhythm of samba, numerous allegorical floats parade, accompanied by throngs of masked dancers, confetti, and plenty of cheer! The event concludes with concerts, cultural meetings, and a feast of traditional dishes: lasagna, chiacchiere, pork leatina, sanguinaccio…
https://grancarnevaledimaiori.it

Chocolate Eggplant

The “mulegnane c’a’ ciucculata” represents the festive dish of the people of Maiori during the Assumption holiday celebrations.

Originally, they were “mulignana c’ ‘o ddoce”, eggplants soaked in Concerto liqueur, said to be first prepared by the monks of the San Francesco Convent in Polvica. The dish was so well-received that the new recipe quickly spread among the religious communities of the Sorrento Peninsula, undergoing continuous tweaks and additions until the eggplant slices were immersed in a chocolate-based sauce.

Today, the “mulegnane c’a’ ciucculata” remains a festive dish in Maiori, celebrated during the Assumption festival! Recipe at LaVolpePescatrice

Madonna Avvocata Sanctuary

It is the most important sanctuary in the area.

Located at 596 meters above sea level, it was founded in the first half of the 1500s as a hermitage. It was expanded as the number of monks increased and in 1663 was entrusted to the Camaldolese fathers. Closed following the “subversive laws,” it was later abandoned.

Today, you can visit the church and the Apparition Grotto, located in the rocky wall below the church. According to tradition, it was discovered by a local shepherd, Gabriello Cinnamo, who entered it following a dove. Subsequently, while resting in the cave, the Virgin appeared to him and commanded him to build an altar. Cinnamo, donning the hermit’s habit, built the small church and the monastery. On Whit Monday, a large festival is held in honor of Madonna Avvocata.

On Whit Monday, Mount Avvocata (Mount Falerzio) teems with faithful from the entire Amalfi Coast. To the continuous ringing of bells, it is customary for each pilgrim to ring some chimes, and at noon the procession takes place, with the statue of the Madonna being showered with a rain of rose petals throughout the route. The celebration continues into the afternoon with singing, dancing, and ancient “tammurriate”… www.aziendaturismo-maiori.it/maiori_life/Avvocata.htm

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Via Nuova Chiunzi 147,
84010 MAIORI (SA) – ITALY

TEL:+39 089 877 220
FAX:+39 089 877 025
info@sanpietro.it

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MAIORI JEWELS

COLLEGGIATA DI SANTA MARIA A MARE

THE LAND OF MARCHESI MEZZACAPO

SANTA MARIA DE OLEARIA

FERRAGOSTO

GRAN CARNEVALE MAIORESE

CHOCOLATE EGGPLANT

SANTUARIO DELLA MADONNA AVVOCATA

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TEL: +39 089 877 220
FAX: +39 089 877 025
EMAIL: info@sanpietro.it

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