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Ciao Amalfi

TRAVEL · December 17, 2016

Atrani Transformed into a Christmas Presepe

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Christmas is a magical time on the Amalfi Coast. With its colorful lights and picturesque setting, Atrani is one of the most charming spots this time of year. It feels like you’re walking right through a traditional prespe, or nativity scene. This holiday season Atrani has created a unique and modern light show that plays on that theme. The town truly feels like a presepe! The light show was inspired by a poem “Atrani è nu prisepio” (“Atrani is a Presepe”) by local writer Enzo Del Pizzo. Stars dance across the beach, the town is lit up with multi-colored lights and on the mountain above town there’s a large projection with a vintage image of Atrani and lines of poetry.

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Come along through the tunnel into the quaint piazza Umberto I, which is full of lights and such a festive feel. There was even Christmas music playing throughout the town when we visited last night!

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The steps leading up to church of San Salvatore del Birecto are like a colorful tapestry with shimmery lights around. Later when we passed by there were kids and a dog playing in the lights on the steps. It was fun to see the children interacting with the lights throughout the town!

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A large Christmas tree decorates one side of Piazza Umberto I, and it’s covered with lights that match the decorative swags on the balconies around the piazza.

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Over by the steps leading up to the Maddalena church, the arches of the Amalfi Coast Road are lit up blue with glittering lights and more lines from the poem talking about the church and seeing the characteristic arches of Atrani.

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Many of the little alleyways through town were also lit up in different colors. We had the benefit of a tour from our friend Linda who lives in Atrani. She showed us all the best spots!

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Looking down on Piazza Umberto I, you can see my favorite part of the light display on the left. It is a design by artist M.C. Escher. Why an Escher design in Atrani? The artist spent time in Ravello and on the Amalfi Coast in 1923, which was when he met the woman who would become his wife, Jetta Umiker. With its labyrinthine alleys and twists and turns, it’s not surprising that Atrani appealed to Escher, who was inspired and made many drawings in the area.

The design in Atrani’s light display this year is from Escher’s work Metamorphasis II, where birds transform into cubes and then eventually into the town of Atrani. You can catch a glimpse of the lights (and soccer game) in action in the short video clip below.

If you are on the Amalfi Coast this Christmas, stop by Atrani to see the fun light display. You can also find out more about the tradition of Christmas nativities and see some in the fountains of Amalfi here!

Posted In: TRAVEL · Tagged: Amalfi Coast See & Do, Atrani, Christmas in Amalfi, Christmas on the Amalfi Coast, Winter on the Amalfi Coast

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Comments

  1. Sandra Thayer says

    December 17, 2016 at 20:05

    Absolutely magical and beautiful. Thank you for sharing these photos Laura

    Reply
    • Laura Thayer says

      January 6, 2017 at 16:45

      I knew you’d love it, mom! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Laraine Lugo says

    December 17, 2016 at 21:37

    Thank you for sharing….just buaetiful Laura.

    Reply
    • Laura Thayer says

      January 6, 2017 at 16:44

      You’re so very welcome, Laraine!

      Reply
  3. Holly Pasiuk says

    December 17, 2016 at 22:41

    Fabulouso! Thank you for sharing! Holly

    Reply
    • Laura Thayer says

      January 6, 2017 at 16:44

      Very happy you enjoyed, Holly!

      Reply
  4. Allannah Kane says

    December 18, 2016 at 01:06

    Wish we were there! So beautiful. Thank you for sharing

    Reply
    • Laura Thayer says

      January 6, 2017 at 16:43

      So happy you enjoyed it, Allannah!

      Reply
  5. Linda says

    December 21, 2016 at 08:35

    So fun to see your feature on Atrani. Excellent.

    Reply
    • Laura Thayer says

      January 6, 2017 at 16:43

      So fun to see it with YOU! Come back soon! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Fionnuala says

    January 4, 2017 at 12:10

    Beautiful photos. What a great idea to decorate the town with imaginative lighting – no damage to the historic buildings and it’s instantly reversible! Thanks for another year of photos and stories.

    Reply
    • Laura Thayer says

      January 6, 2017 at 16:36

      Yes I like the lighting as decorations, too! This year they really did a unique theme in Atrani. So happy you enjoy Ciao Amalfi!

      Reply

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My name is Laura and the Amalfi Coast is my passion and my home. I’m a writer and photographer who is endlessly inspired by the incredible beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Welcome to Ciao Amalfi!

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