Sorrento, Crossroads of the world

“Ma nun me lassà, Nun darme stu turmiento! Torna a Surriento, Famme campà!”
“Don't leave me, dont' give me this pain! Come back to Sorrento, make me live!”

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In a magnificent and strategic position, Sorrento has been a chosen destination for travellers since ancient times. It is well-connected to the city of Napoli and it's port, airport, and train station. Sorrento is the ideal bridge binding the Gulf of Napoli and the Gulf of Sorrento and a port, that in every season of the year, connects the mainland to the world-famous islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida. Sorrento is linked to the archaeological zones of Pompei, Ercolano, Stabia, Oplonto and Torre Annunziata by the fast and picturesque Circumvesuviano train that connects to Napoli and the entire continent. Its convenient location makes it an international crossroads and perennially crowded with tourists. In spite of this, Sorrento preserves its discrete charm and intrinsic elegance that is obvious in the exceptional politeness courtesy and openess of its inhabitants who are accustomed to living with and welcoming visitors of every class and race and from all over the world.

Sorrento, moreover, is a city of great navigators and sailors and many of the ships that travel the world have a commanding officer, a captain, or a sailor from Sorrento on board. Broad-mindedness towards other cultures is great and there are an infinite number of excellent hotels and tourist arrangements in every price-range. The best part of Sorrento, however, is retained for the celebrities who, year after year, visit and have made it their adoptive homeland. Among the most famous is Enrico Caruso, a regular guest of the magnificent hotels, many of which are fashioned from old residences and which dominate the promontory overlooking the picturesque port and the splendid bay of Napoli that is celebrated in so many famous songs. Sorrento is renowned for its very sophisticated gastronomic traditions. And without a doubt, eating in Sorrento (other than at the contaminated spots catering to the "eat and run" mobs that are imposed on the city by mass tourism) can be a real treat for the spirit and a temptation that is best given in to immediately.

The city is not just a crossroads for travellers. It is also, and especially, a great gathering place for the typical local products that have earned the cherished DOP denomination. Dairy products and cheeses, flour, pasta and breads, extra-virgin olive oils, citrus fruits, world famous walnuts and highest quality fish and seafoods are every day ingredients in Sorrento cuisine. It isn't by chance that Sorrento and the Sorrento coast are rich in many-starred restaurants where world famous and highly esteemed local dishes are proudly listed on the menu. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, spaghetti with zucchini, lobster ravioli, or baba with limoncella, provolone del monaco cheese (a DOP brand), the local dairy products – treccia sorrentina (a braided cheese), caciocavallo or the pastas and breads from nearby Gragnano, the famous pizza served "by the metre"( which was invented in nearby Vico Equense) to give some idea of how difficult it is not to enjoy the foods of the area. It is also difficult to resist shopping while in Sorrento. The best of alta moda and Italian-style clothing shine in the many shop windows along Corso Italia, the main street of the city. But the best of Sorrento -as always- is hidden in the beautiful little lanes, especially those just off the very central Piazza Tasso. Among them, be sure to visit Vico S. Cesario, which is lined with handicraft and gastronomy shops specializing in spices, oils, dairy goods, limoncello, and other local delicacies. It is the ideal spot to pick up at least one jewel of Sorrento inlaid woodwork art. In this neighbourhood, especially if you go down towards the port (and after you have visited the marvelous Cloister of Saint Francis), you can discover great little restaurants with beautiful terraces shaded bypergolas scented by oranges, wisteria, jasmine and bourgainvilla. Eating under a natural dome that is so welcoming is a souvenir to keep in your heart, with the hope –as the song says– of returning to Sorrento any time you want.

Click here for Sorrento Villas

Click here for Sorrento Villas

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Sorrento, from the origins till nowadays

The history of Sorrento, the "Miracle of Nature"

From the Corinthians to 1500

Sorrento's history is connected to the ancient Island of Lipari, originally colonized in 8 B.C. by Corinthians who, exploring the lands, later settled in neighboring Sorrento. With the arrival of Imperial Rome, Sorrento was allied to the Romans, and to this day, the city centre bears testimony in the classically Roman layout of the streets to the presence of the Empire.In the Middle Ages Sorrento fell into the hands of the Goths and the Byzantines, but resisted and repelled the advances of the Lombards of Benevento despite a siege. Due to Sorrento's proximity to the sea however, it was often raided and sacked in the 1500's by Pirates and sailors from the Harbor Town of Pisa, which led to the construction of the numerous watch towers along the coast.

The Bourbon dominion and the Kingdom of Naples

In 1799 Sorrento took part in the Repubblica Partenopea under the Bourbon dominion. The French armada wanted to conquer the lands of Naples and its coast, and marched towards the Kingdom of Naples. The lands of the kingdom were faithful to the Bourbon and opposed to the French advance. Vico was conquered, and Sorrento shortly after. The people of Sorrento didn’t surrender, and killed a French soldier, and wounded a officer. When the French departed, the Bourbon returned to the possession of Naples and the cities of the coast, included Sorrento. In 1805, the whole peninsula and the entire Kingdom of Naples was attached again from the French armada. In 1806 Ferdidando was chased away, and Giuseppe Bonaparte, the brother of Napoleon, took possession of the throne. Subsequently followed Gioacchino Murat. Among the French and the people of Sorrento there was tension, and the five Casali (districts) of Meta, Sant’Agostino, Carotto, Ancora, e Maiano, demanded and obtained the administrative independence. The aristocratic lineage were abolished. The English armada tried to conquer Massa, Meta and Capri, so Murat decided to build fortification works on the Sorrento coast. In 1815 with the Waterloo defeat, the Bourbon returned in possession of the Kingdom of Naples, and it found its peace again. During these years the commercial activities started again, assuring a prosperous period for the Kingdom commerce. In 1832 Ferdinando II of Bourbon decided to build the road to link Castellammare and Meta, that was finished in 1834. The work was an ancient exigency, because of the difficulties people found to reach Sorrento by land. The Risorgimento was lived with great participation even from the people of Sorrento, and many participated to the fights for independence. After the Unification of Italy, S. Angello became independent (1865), while Sorrento was developed, with the construction of new buildings and streets, that changed the ancient aspect. The ancient roman urban layout, the one of the cardo and decumano, was upset with the construction of a new road, the current Corso Italia (1866). This road was the only one which had sidewalks, where soon many buildings, and luxury shops were built. In 1898 was inaugurated the electricity network, and in 1899, Sorrento and the other cities of the peninsula formed a group and approved the project for the construction of a electric tram line. The service became definitive in 1906.

Sorrento in the Twentieth Century

In the first twenty years of 1900, the people of Sorrento left for the First World War, and lots of families were caught from mourning and pain. During the fascist period, the districts of the Sorrento peninsula got together into a unique district called Sorrento, but the town hall was in Sant’Agnello. When the Fascism decayed, the districts became independent from Sorrento. In 1948 the tram line was abolished and the train line was built. From 1960 some new constructions and urban works started, and the aspect of Sorrento changed and became the city that now we know and admire. In 1955 the film “Pane Amore e Fantasia” was shot in Sorrento. It was directed by Dino Risi, with a special appearance by Sofia Loren and Vittorio De Sica.

Sorrento, the land of Mermaids

The legend of Sirentum

Its legendary origins derive from the word Siren or Mermaids, mythical feminine creatures with celestial voices and beautiful aspect, whose hands and songs attracted unsuspecting sailors to the terror of the rocks, breaking their ships and making them die. These legends are all connected to the naissance of the word Sorrento. The most famous one is the legend of Sirentum. Sirentum was a maiden born from the union of Mirone and Leucosia, two peasants who lived in Casarlano, on the cliffs. Her birth was due to a vow made by her parents in the Mermaids Temple located in Massa Lubrense. Her blond hair, her sweet behaviour, her will to live, her carelessness, made her a unique creature. It seems that, one day, on the beach of Marina Grande, she met the mermaid Partenope that noticed her beauty and prognosticate for her a future as a Queen. Indeed the chance encounter with the Prince of the Durazzo’s family, was fatal. In a short time they got married. They led a life as travellers, but when they were in Sorrento hospitality never missed, indeed they offered wine, honey pastries, almonds and figs without any hesitation. A nasty day in 1558, the Sarances landed in Sorrento. They raided all the riches of the population, they made prisoners and among them there was the beautiful Sirentum. Few years later, Sirentum could come back to Sorrento, thanks to the inhabitants, even the poorer ones, that donated all that they had to have Sirentum back in her land.

The history of the song "Torna a Surriento"

"Come back to Sorrento"

One of the most famous Neapolitan song is dedicated to Sorrento, indeed its name is “Torna a Surriento”. The song was composed on 15th September 1902, on the occasion of the visit of Giuseppe Zingarelli, who was the Prime Minister in those years. The mayor of the city, asked to Gian Battista and Ernesto De Curtis to compose a song to celebrate the illustrious guest, with the wish to obtain some interventions on behalf Sorrento. Ernesto De Curtis took an old melody he composed few years before and his brother, Gian Battista, wrote the text that was suitable for the occasion. In this way “Torna a Surriento” was born.

COME BACK TO SORRENTO
(Torna A Surriento)
(Ernesto De Curtis / G.B. De Curtis)

Sunlight dances on the sea
Tender thoughts occur to me
I have often seen your eyes
In the nighttime when I dream

When I pass a garden fair
And the scent is in the air
In my mind a dream awakes
And my heart begins to break

But you said goodbye to me
Now all I can do is grieve
Can it be that you forgot?
Darling forget me not!

Please don't say farewell
And leave this heart that's broken
Come back to Surriento
So I can mend