What sticks in the mind, or rather, what everyone knows about Positano, is the iconic image of the colourful pyramid of little houses that one encounters when one arrives from by sea.
The image immediately sticks in the mind, because it triggers something in the imagination: that inexplicable mix of the picturesque and the awe-inspiring, which leads one to ask: “How do those little houses cling to each other?”, “What does it feel like to stand there every day with that blue, sunny scenery always available, always within sight?”, “How did they manage to build there and live all this time clinging to the rock?”.
In short, the iconic image of this destination, which is in fact among the most glamorous and in-demand on the Amalfi Coast, blinds you and distracts you from many wonderful attractions that you really cannot miss if you are heading to Positano.
How can we not mention, for example, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta?
Indeed, even its majolica dome, shimmering in the sun with its yellow and blue, is one of the many images that come to mind when one speaks of the Amalfi Coast.
And it is precisely about this church that we will speak in the following paragraphs.
We will provide you with useful information for visiting it and some historical-artistic notions to enable you to better appreciate your visit.
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Santa Maria Assunta: a legend that gives name to an iconic place
A place with such a special atmosphere could only have an equally interesting legend to give rise to its name.
We are about to tell you the legend of the Madonna Assunta, which is inextricably intertwined with the history of Positano, telling a story of faith, mystery and timeless beauty.
One of the many tales of the Amalfi Coast, reminding us how popular devotion can give life to magical places, where imagination blends with reality, enriching even more the unique and evocative atmosphere that inhabits them.
The story is told that a sailing ship coming from the East, carrying a Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary, ran into a dead calm off the coast of Positano. Every effort of the sailors to get the ship moving again was in vain, until a mysterious voice rang out: “Posa, posa!”. (in english: “Lay down”)
The voice came from the icon of the Madonna, which almost seemingly pointed to the coast as a refuge.
What could the crew do other than obey the divine command?
So the boat pointed its bow towards land and the ship miraculously started moving again.
Once ashore, the icon was donated to the people of Positano, who placed it in a church near the square. But the following day, a new prodigy occurred: the effigy was found near the beach, wrapped in a broom bush. It was as if Our Lady had chosen the place of her eternal resting place. The inhabitants, moved by this divine sign, decided to erect a church on that very spot, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which soon became the heart of the village.
Although official history traces the arrival of the icon to the 12th century, transported by Benedictine monks, the legend continues to fascinate and nourish devotion to the Madonna Assunta.
The icon, jealously kept inside the church, is still today one of Positano’s most admired and treasured works, a tangible symbol of the faith and protection the Virgin Mary has always reserved for this enchanting place.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta: some historical and artistic information
The CHURCH of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture that holds within it a fascinating history and valuable works of art.
Its origins date back to the 10th century, when a Benedictine monastery was founded in honour of Santa Maria. Over the centuries, the church underwent numerous transformations, taking on its present appearance between 1777 and 1782. The façade, rich in stucco and decoration, is a perfect example of 18th-century Baroque taste.
Inside, the church has a Latin cross plan with three naves.
As soon as you enter, your gaze will be immediately drawn to the high altar, surmounted by a small temple housing the Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary, the church’s true religious and artistic heart. The work, dating back to the 12th century, is considered one of the most important Byzantine icons in southern Italy.
On either side of the apse, the solid Walnut choir stalls and two niches house Our Lady of Sorrows and a valuable Christ at the Column by Michele Trillocco. Along the aisles, there are several chapels, each with its own history and works of art. Among these, the chapel of St Stephen with its wooden statue of the Madonna and Child, the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and the chapel of St Vitus, which houses a valuable reliquary bust of the saint.
There are also works by renowned artists, such as Fabrizio Santafede and Andrea De Vito. Of particular interest is the mechanical organ inaugurated in 2000, a true jewel of engineering and musical art.
How to reach the Church of Santa Maria Assunta
Reaching the Church is not complicated, because it is located in Piazza Flavio Gioia, right in the centre of Positano, not far from the beach of Marina Grande.
To visit it, however, you have to proceed on foot, as the Church is located at the top of a long flight of steps.
In fact, wandering around the narrow streets of Positano, you will find that more or less long stairways are absolutely the norm.
A few tips for your visit to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano
The traps for the traveller can be many, especially if you travel to iconic places that are taken by storm by tourists at certain times of the year.
Therefore, we leave you with a few tips, which will surely be useful to make your visit to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta more peaceful and pleasant.
✅ Choose comfortable shoes
If you decide to explore destinations such as Positano, which are particularly characterised by the presence of stairs and alleyways, the most important piece of advice is certainly to choose comfortable footwear.
Classic trainers would be ideal to walk comfortably and not miss a single characteristic corner.
However, you could opt for a pair of traditional handmade sandals: Positano is teeming with small shops and workshops, including some artisans who make handmade sandals.
They are flat, comfortable, stylish and you can customise them to suit your taste or foot shape.
What’s more, you can take home an authentic handmade souvenir: a piece of Positano fashion, highly appreciated all over the world.
✅ SOS Parking
When we think of the word “parking on the Amalfi Coast”, Positano is not the first destination that comes to mind. You have to know, in fact, that due to both the conformation of the place and the incredible influx of travellers from all over the world, Positano can turn out to be a nightmare if you decide to reach it by car, especially at certain times of the year.
So, if you are travelling from other destinations, the advice we can offer you is to travel by public transport.
Sita buses and Travelmar ferries leave approximately every hour from Amalfi.
In this way, you will be free from the stress of finding a parking space.
Alternatively, you can refer to the various private car parks in Positano, but be warned: the rate per hour is high and at certain times of the year it is very difficult to find a space available.
We advise you, therefore, to check availability before your departure, in case you cannot do without your car.
When is Santa Maria Assunta celebrated
📅 Santa Maria Assunta is celebrated on 15 August.
However, the Feast of Santa Maria Assunta runs for a full 18 days, from 5 to 22 August.
The moments of faith and devotion start on 5 August with an exciting tradition: the statue of the Madonna is taken out of the chapel of Santo Stefano and carried onto the throne, where it will remain until the 22nd: a solemn moment that marks the beginning of the festivities, accompanied by a solemn mass in the Mother Church.
Dawn on 12 August is tinged with music with the traditional concert on the parvis of the Mother Church: a moment of poetry and magic, which spreads through the white houses and craft workshops, gently waking Positano.
14 August is a day full of events. In the morning, the solemn celebration culminates with the imposing ‘Alzata del Quadro’ (Elevation of the Painting). In the evening, the procession by sea begins, during which a wreath is laid at the monument to the world’s navies. A moving tribute to those who ply the seas.
The procession continues to the ‘Mother and Child’ rock, where homage is paid to the tile depicting the Madonna, a symbol of divine protection during World War II.
On the day of Ferragosto (August 15th), the climax of the celebrations is reached: the procession on the beach with the statue of the Madonna, with a solemn procession winding through the streets of the village, accompanied by devotional songs and the festive sound of the band. A moment of great emotion, where faith and tradition are inextricably intertwined.
In the evening, the fireworks display illuminates the sky with a thousand colours, providing unforgettable emotions.
The occasion is a great one to treat oneself to the sight of a unique spectacle: a blaze of lights reflecting on the sea, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere.
Imagine the romantic panorama of Positano, illuminated by the fireworks show on the night that marks the peak of the summer!
If you want to enjoy it at its best, we suggest you do so from the sea: in the area you will find many boats that organise a mini-night cruise between Maiori and Positano, to enjoy both fireworks displays, from a decidedly enchanting position.
