The art of ceramics has a long history on the Amalfi Coast, in fact, the industry dates back to the 1500s (16th century). The production of small decorative household objects has been well documented thanks to the numerous artefacts found in the area.(orci). And yet the raw materials for ceramic production are not to be found anywhere on the coast, the clay had to be imported from Salerno or Nocera.
Of all the towns along the coast, Vietri developed the most prolific ceramic production. Indeed Vietri has been renowned for its decorative style of ceramics since the 18th century. There were many factories producing ceramics which were then not only sold locally but also exported to Sicily, Tuscany and all over the Mediterranean area. We can say that the ceramic production was of an industrial scale. In the following centuries, knowledge and appreciation of the ceramics of the Amalfi Coast were further extended to Europe by the many artists visiting the area. Vietri and the Coast have been visited by world famous artists and throughout the years they have, to some extent, left traces of their presence in modern ceramic production; Richard Dolker and Irene Kowaliska who, together with Guido Gambone, relaunched the name and themes of Vietri ceramics all over the world. It’s not by chance that Vietri has a museum dedicated to ceramics in the splendid Villa Guariglia.
Praiano is like an open air museum, immersed in art and nature. The town has become a museum of ceramic art. The NaturArt Project entails a series of itineraries, seven involving ceramics, ( the traditional artistic medium of the area ) created by the best artists of the Coast. The exhibits can be admired along the footpaths that go through the village, a true art exhibition open to everyone. The village of Praiano, spread out between the mountains and the sea has inviting little beaches, in fact the only beach which enjoys the sun until sunset along the coast is in Praiano. The impressive fjord of Furore is next to Praiano.
Minori was chosen by the Romans as a summer residence. The evidence lies in the remains of a magnificent maritime Roman villa dating back to the 1st century A.D.. We presume the villa was destroyed by the frequent floods that occurred in the area, and the site was abandoned for centuries. Legend tells us that the first settlement to the rear of the valley dates to the 5th century. The inhabitants then built a second settlement of the coast itself, giving it the name Reghinna. Today, Minori has some important ceramic work – shops, where visitors can learn the art of local ceramic techniques of terracotta as well as admiring the artistic production. The jewels in the crown of Minori are certainly the 1st century A.D. Roman Villa and the Basilica dedicated to Santa Trofimena.