Shopping, sightseeing and socialising come with history and heritage as standard in this ancient quarter of the city.
The network of cobblestone streets known as Sorrento Historic Town has its origins in distant antiquity. The central artery, Via San Cesareo, still follows the route of the Decumano Massimo, the main street of the Roman city, which was in turn built over the earlier Greek settlement. Subsequent eras, from medieval Gothic and Byzantine to Neapolitan Baroque, have all left their mark on the architecture of this town on the cliffs, whose narrow lanes were designed to shade shopkeepers and their customers from the blazing heat of the sun.Sorrento Historic Town is a charming place to while away the hours, wandering past ancient palaces, lively street markets, artisan workshops and aromatic trattorias. Start from Piazza Tasso, named for the Renaissance poet Torquato Tasso who is best known for his epic La Gerusalemme liberata (Jerusalem Delivered). Tasso’s sister’s house can still be seen nearby. This lively square dating from 1866 is the beating pulse of the city.In the historic quarter you will find many interesting religious buildings in contrasting styles, such as the Chiesa di San Francesco, the church of the Madonna Addolorata and the sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine. The Basilica of St Antonio houses the remains of the patron saint of Sorrento in its crypt, while Sorrento Cathedral dates from the 11th century and is famous for its three-tiered bell tower and nave paintings by Nicola Malinconico and Giacomo del Po. Find out more about the local technique of intarsia inlay, which features on the choir stalls, at the Museo Bottega, an 18th-century palace housing a fine collection of inlaid furniture and objets d’art.No visit to Sorrento Historic Town would be complete without a spot of shopping, so head for Via San Cesareo to browse among the boutiques, stalls and workshops for local crafts, fashions and leatherware, tasty regional delicacies, citrus products and quirky souvenirs. Then put the finishing touches to your day of discovery with a tasty meal at one of the lively restaurants that line the narrow lanes around Piazza San Antonino, before strolling to Villa Comunale park to watch the sun set over the Bay of Naples.
