History - Amalfi
Amalfi, originally a Roman city, was the first Italian Republic
of the Sea (Repubblica Marinara). After the fall of the Roman Empire, it
was the first city to re-establish relationship between East and West by
transporting and introducing into Italy exotic merchandise such as carpets,
cofee and paper. Amalfi had his own coin (the Tarì), was the
home of Flavio Gioia, the inventor of the compass, and gave the navigators
the famous maritime law known as Tabula de Amalpha.
Amalfi founded an imposing hospital in Jerusalem which could contain 2000
beds and which gave birth, in 1112, thanks to Brother Gerardo Sasso from
Scala,
to the first military and religious Order called at first the Knights of
St. John, then the Knights of Cyprus, of Rhodes and in 1530, of Malta, still
existing today. The Knights fought repeatedly against the Saracens and, in
849,
they defended Rome and the Church in the famous battle of Ostia.
Strolls: Valle dei Mulini, where some of the oldest papers mills
in Europe are still working; Pontone, Minuto, Pogerola, Vettica, Lone,
Pastena, Tovere, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Agerola.