Like most of the coastal towns along the coast, Amalfi is better characterized as an inlet rather than a cove or bay. Civilizations and trade ports often thrive along coastal communities home to natural bays, but when the goods traded are of great value, mariners will find away. Amalfi expanded as a commercial port around the year 340 during the Roman Empire and has been active ever since. Over time, the port has developed through the construction of reinforced quays that extend into the waters in front of the harbor to protect vessels inside the inlet. Porto di Amalfi is the most recent iteration of the harbor fortification with an expansive rock seawall built up along the stone quay offering transient slips for local fisherman, sailors, and yachts. The quay protects the entirety of the harbor from the rugged waves of the Tyrennian and without it vessels within the harbor would be thrash around in even the mildest of weathers. Within the harbor hundreds of boats are moored in every direction. One look underwater within the harbor and you would find a tangled labyrinth of chains laid in every which direction so complicated only the locals could accurately lead mariners to safely dock. 

The illustrious town of Amalfi

Amalfi harbor in July

Andrea Pansa, cafe in the center of town

Looking up at Monti Lattari and the century old homes

A seaside town coated with aging history

It's a tourist town held up by residents

The saint of Amalfi is Andrew the Apostle

A winding town with fast walkers

Another view of Monti Lattari

Layers of limestone, layers of history