Experience the Joy of the Ravello Festival

One of the highlights of the year near the Amalfi Coast is the glorious Ravello Festival. The city is renamed "The City of Music" and the town plays centre stage to the arts. Orchestral concerts, chamber music, ballet performances, film screening and exhibitions are celebrated in open-air venues, which are pieces of art themselves. During this busy time of the year it is most convenient to stay in one of the nearby Amalfi villas. You will be able to immerse yourself in the arts all day then return to the comforts of home to truly reflect upon and soak up the experience.

The Major Venues: Villa Rufolo

One of the most notable and famous venues for some of the festival’s performances is the overhanging terrace in Villa Rufolo Gardens. Ravello is around seven kilometres from many of the nearby Amalfi villas and can be easily accessed by bus or taxi. Villa Rufolo was built between 1270 and 1280 and its Medieval, Moorish and Arab Norman influences can be clearly seen in the beautiful architecture and stunning gardens. The beauty of the Villa Rufolo has been said to have inspired many artists, including Richard Wagner who completed the second act of his opera ‘Parsifal’ while visiting. In his honour, the venue plays host to many of the festival’s open-air symphonic concerts and chamber music performances.

Villa Cimbrone

Whichever one of the gorgeous Amalfi villas you chose to stay in, the scenic journey to Villa Cimbrone takes only about 16 minutes. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century and is famous for its ‘terrace of the infinite’. Located on the grounds of this architectural masterpiece you will find a long promenade that leads to what was described by writer Gore Vidal as, ‘the most beautiful panorama in the world’. The beauty of this magnificent setting is said to have sparked the passionate affair between Greta Garbo and conductor Leopold Stokowsky in 1938.

Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer

One of the major venues for many of the festival’s performances is the Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer. Like many of the structures in the area the panoramic views are stunning. The unique venue seats 400 spectators, has a semi-circular stage and even a recording studio. The structure’s modern design complements the natural contours of the terrain. Upon approach, visitors are greeted by the unusual architecture, breath-taking views and a foyer that appears to project precariously out over the sea.

The Ravello Festival is the ultimate celebration of the arts, embracing all genres of music and performance from classical to jazz, and ballet to film. If you stay in one of the scenic Amalfi villas, just outside of Ravello, you will have access to appreciate the celebration and spirit of the festival while being able to remove yourself from the revelry for a chance to take it all in.

Looking for your perfect home away from home in Italy? Mark Slaviero is a Director of Holiday Homes in Italy, a company specialising in finding the holiday home, villa or apartment of your dreams. For the ideal Amalfi villas and accommodation in Tuscany, Sicily, the Italian Lakes, ski resorts and more, we offer the best in every region.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.