Vietri

Close by Salerno, eastern door of the Divine Coast, Vietri sul Mare has had a tragic history, full of invasione and ravages.  The original settlement, named Marcina, was destroyed in 455 a.C. by Vandal barbaric hordes or, according to another versioni by violent civil riots.  It was attacked again and sacked many times by the Longobards in the following centuries, then it was restored by descendants of the survivors of the slaughters.  The new town was significantly called Vetere (ancient), to underline the historical continuità of the different communitics.

Unfortunately, in the 17th century a French fleet headed by a prince of Savoia attacked again and despoiled the town.

Despite so much mourning, the inhabitants of Vietri have managed to keep the pride of their own individualità alive, so that today, even if they are so near a much larger city, Salerno, they still proudly claim their own identity.  For ever Vietri has been the destination of tourists from near (inhabitants of Salerno have chosen its beach called "della Crestarella" as their own bathing salon) and from far (the country gave hospitality to many German artists during the years between the two world wars).  Today Vietri is particularly famous for its artistic ceramic produetion to which the above-mentioned forcign artists (Richard Doelker, Irene Kowaliska and others), well-supported by famous ceramists like Guido Gambone, gave a substantial boost.

Vietri has various churches of remarkable architectonic interest: above all we point out the majolica dome of the Church of S. Giovanni and its octagonal tower; however, the real beauty of the town is represented by the common houses; all, more or less, are enriched by splendid majolica pieces, often made by famous artists.  A walk in the town also allows you to visit the numerous beautiful shops of the ceramic artisans.