Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta e Cripta Medievale

Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta e Cripta Medievale

Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta e Cripta Medievale
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The Medieval Crypt is located just below the altar of the Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta. It was built in the 12th century. a. C. with parts of a Roman Villa that was in Positano in the 1st Century A. C..
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  • Jackie C
    Peterborough, United Kingdom474 contributions
    Sleepy fishing village
    We have wanted to visit Positano ever since we saw it on Gino’s cooking programme. We were not disappointed even though it was March when we visited. Probably a better time to visit as the weather is still warm and sunny but as it is out of season we got to see it at its best. Many of the shops and cafes are closed out of season and lots of building work taking place whilst it is out of season. This church is set not far from the sea amidst this lovely fishing village, the interior is just as nice. We were told that in the height of summer you cannot move for tourists so counted ourselves lucky for visiting now
    Visited March 2020
    Written April 10, 2020
  • MerseysideTinkerbell
    Merseyside, United Kingdom4,997 contributions
    Church on the beach of Positano. Go inside and have a look.
    Make your way down from where cars/buses are parked up. We went on Tempio Travel Amalfi coast tour and so the bus dropped us off and parked up and we had free time in positano and our tour guide advised us about the Church on the beach and to go inside and have a look if we had time but also to wander down and look at all the lovely shops and narrow walkways on this steep hilside. We did make our way right down and into the Church and have a look around at it. It doesnt look that impressive from the outside really but when you get inside as we have noticed with a lot of Churches the inside is where the wonder is. Worth a visit when in Positano.
    Visited June 2019
    Written February 18, 2020
  • Bags R Packed
    Litchfield Park, Arizona68 contributions
    Not to Be Missed Sight in Positano
    This peaceful church was a quiet, cool respite after hiking up many stone steps in Positano. There is lovely mosaic artwork at the entrance of the church…be sure to pause and admire it. There was only one other tourist inside, so it truly was a spiritual sanctuary to pray for friends struggling with illness and a safe journey back home.
    Visited October 2021
    Written October 12, 2021
  • JSTrip_77
    Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina1,274 contributions
    Not open for visits but still impressive through the window
    Sitting in a commanding position by the seaside in Positano, the church is extremely impressive. The church was closed to visits but we could still see inside through the glass windows. The interior painting is relatively simple but stunning. Still, it is worth at least an attempted visit.
    Visited January 2023
    Written January 9, 2023
  • LizM2
    Clydebank, United Kingdom919 contributions
    Beautiful Church
    Worth a visit - a beautiful church visible from the minute you arrive in Positano. Church workers will give you a shawl to cover your shoulders if required whilst you visit.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 12, 2023
  • Belgo96
    Brisbane, Australia3,613 contributions
    Historic small chiesa with fascinating crypt
    The Positano Chiesa is renowned for its "black Madonna." Although referred to in history manuals as that, the locals appropriately now refer to it as the Byzantine Madonna. The tiny church and the town has legend and mythology behind it. In Homer’s Odyssey, Positano is the place where the sirens try to lead Ulysses to his death. According to local mythology, the icon had been stolen from Byzantium and was being transported by Saracen pirates when a fierce storm came up. Out of nowhere the frightened sailors heard a voice commanding them to "posa, posa!" ("Put down! Put down!"). They unloaded the icon in the nearest fishing village. Ever since then the village was called Positano in remembrance of the command. The church was built in the 1200s to honor the icon. We got some amazing history of the town by doing a walk from the top of the town down to the sea with a local called Lucy. There are also the remains of a mosaic floor from the original structure in the apse of the church. If you follow the alleys around the back of the church you can also see the medieval crypt which is open at certain times. If you want to see something of historical context in a town really known for its resort style shopping, this tiny jewel is worth a few minutes.
    Visited September 2014
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 10, 2014
  • Chris B
    Metairie, Louisiana51 contributions
    Wedding of a lifetime.
    This church is so beautiful and situated in a perfect spot by the ocean. It is absolutely beautiful. It's opened to anyone who wants to visit, so in addition to our family we had many other tourists in attendance. It made for a unique wedding to say the least. The priest was from Africa and spoke pretty good English. It was one for the memories. We will be back to show our daughter where her mommy and daddy got married.
    Visited October 2014
    Traveled with family
    Written September 19, 2015
  • TERRAvelista
    London, United Kingdom17,480 contributions
    Post card beauty
    The Church is located between the village with it's postcard small streets and the beach packed with restaurants and little hotels. It is a simple but quiet church and travelling from Sorrento, I met an old couple who wanted to see this church where they celebrated their daughter's wedding. How original and sweet! I would recommend, if you travel from Sorrento, not to wait 2-3 hours in the queue for the bus (as there was a very long queue there) but to consider finding 7-8 other people at the end of the queue and pay 10 euros each to a small bus driver to take you to Positano. Not only your waiting time is reduced to 0 but your travelling time will be reduced by more than half. I had the inspiration/luck to come across such Italian drivers waiting with their mini buses near the train station and apparently you can book this even by 30min in advance. I also learned that you should never consider travelling in rush hour to/from Sorrento/Positano/Amalfi. You should also consider taking a fast ferry from Positano to Capri and then Capri back to Sorrento. But always check in advance the departure times as apparently the Italian websites are never reliable.
    Visited October 2012
    Traveled solo
    Written October 14, 2012
  • Bill B
    26 contributions
    Recently opened Roman Villa excavations under the church
    Opened to the public within the past year, the tour is well worth the 10-12 euro fee. Very well presented with clear glass walkways suspended directly over the ruins, and some smart use of flatscreens to amplify the information provided by the guide. Very interesting items found on site with many presented in-situ including both decorative pieces as well furniture and tools from daily life circa 79 AD.
    Visited May 2019
    Traveled with family
    Written June 7, 2019
  • The Travelling Piggy
    London, United Kingdom4,222 contributions
    Can't miss it!
    Walking through the quaint area of positano, and seeing the gorgeous houses you come across this place. It's in a stunning location and you definitely can't miss it.
    Visited June 2016
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 27, 2017
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
519 reviews
Excellent
197
Very good
240
Average
73
Poor
6
Terrible
3

JSTrip_77
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina1,274 contributions
Jan 2023
Sitting in a commanding position by the seaside in Positano, the church is extremely impressive. The church was closed to visits but we could still see inside through the glass windows. The interior painting is relatively simple but stunning. Still, it is worth at least an attempted visit.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LizM2
Clydebank, UK919 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Worth a visit - a beautiful church visible from the minute you arrive in Positano. Church workers will give you a shawl to cover your shoulders if required whilst you visit.
Written July 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Belgo96
Brisbane, Australia3,613 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
The Positano Chiesa is renowned for its "black Madonna." Although referred to in history manuals as that, the locals appropriately now refer to it as the Byzantine Madonna. The tiny church and the town has legend and mythology behind it. In Homer’s Odyssey, Positano is the place where the sirens try to lead Ulysses to his death. According to local mythology, the icon had been stolen from Byzantium and was being transported by Saracen pirates when a fierce storm came up. Out of nowhere the frightened sailors heard a voice commanding them to "posa, posa!" ("Put down! Put down!"). They unloaded the icon in the nearest fishing village. Ever since then the village was called Positano in remembrance of the command. The church was built in the 1200s to honor the icon. We got some amazing history of the town by doing a walk from the top of the town down to the sea with a local called Lucy. There are also the remains of a mosaic floor from the original structure in the apse of the church. If you follow the alleys around the back of the church you can also see the medieval crypt which is open at certain times. If you want to see something of historical context in a town really known for its resort style shopping, this tiny jewel is worth a few minutes.
Written October 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris B
Metairie, LA51 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
This church is so beautiful and situated in a perfect spot by the ocean. It is absolutely beautiful. It's opened to anyone who wants to visit, so in addition to our family we had many other tourists in attendance. It made for a unique wedding to say the least. The priest was from Africa and spoke pretty good English. It was one for the memories. We will be back to show our daughter where her mommy and daddy got married.
Written September 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TERRAvelista
London, UK17,480 contributions
Oct 2012 • Solo
The Church is located between the village with it's postcard small streets and the beach packed with restaurants and little hotels.

It is a simple but quiet church and travelling from Sorrento, I met an old couple who wanted to see this church where they celebrated their daughter's wedding. How original and sweet!

I would recommend, if you travel from Sorrento, not to wait 2-3 hours in the queue for the bus (as there was a very long queue there) but to consider finding 7-8 other people at the end of the queue and pay 10 euros each to a small bus driver to take you to Positano. Not only your waiting time is reduced to 0 but your travelling time will be reduced by more than half. I had the inspiration/luck to come across such Italian drivers waiting with their mini buses near the train station and apparently you can book this even by 30min in advance.

I also learned that you should never consider travelling in rush hour to/from Sorrento/Positano/Amalfi. You should also consider taking a fast ferry from Positano to Capri and then Capri back to Sorrento. But always check in advance the departure times as apparently the Italian websites are never reliable.
Written October 14, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bill B
Fairfield, CT, United States26 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Opened to the public within the past year, the tour is well worth the 10-12 euro fee. Very well presented with clear glass walkways suspended directly over the ruins, and some smart use of flatscreens to amplify the information provided by the guide. Very interesting items found on site with many presented in-situ including both decorative pieces as well furniture and tools from daily life circa 79 AD.
Written June 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The Travelling Piggy
London, UK4,222 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Walking through the quaint area of positano, and seeing the gorgeous houses you come across this place. It's in a stunning location and you definitely can't miss it.
Written March 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

James F
Portland, OR90 contributions
Oct 2011 • Couples
We attended Mass in this beautiful church. This church has many weddings and it was fun to see the beautiful Brides on their big day.
You must visit when you are in Positano
Written March 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wayne B-g B
Palm Springs, CA34 contributions
May 2011 • Friends
The main church in Positano is a must-see for your visit. Easy to miss, but don't forget the Medieval crypt under the main church.
Written March 27, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Flowergirl4a
Brisbane, Australia109 contributions
Oct 2011 • Couples
A tiny crypt with an amazing tale. Worth paying a few EUROs to visit. I won't give the story away, go for yourself. The guide spoke very good english and was very knowledgable about the area.
Written November 6, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta e Cripta Medievale, Positano

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