I received such happy comments about the church bells from the Ferragosto Procession in Amalfi that I just have to share another video with you all. Turns out I’m not the only one who loves the daily ringing of the bells across Italy! On Tuesday I was in Amalfi for the evening and enjoyed the summer breeze and a Bellini at the Bar Gran Caffè overlooking the packed beach at Marina Grande. The Bellini was inspired by the ever fabulous Lola from Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino. She is always up to something tasty, and on Monday it was the Bellini. Head over to her blog for the recipe! It was the perfect drink for a hot summer evening in Amalfi. Thanks for the inspiration, Lola!
Image: AO&P
[Add: Apparently this is a Bellini themed week around the web! Linda, one of my regular readers, who writes over at Ciao Chow Linda, also had an excellent post about it being Bellini Time this week. Something is in the air! Thanks for sharing, Linda!]
When we got up to leave, the bells at the Church of San Benedetto along the main road through Amalfi started ringing. I looked at my boyfriend and said, “I’ve never heard these bells ringing.” He responded, “I’m not sure I have either.” And he’s from Amalfi! So we both stopped to listen, and after a few seconds simultaneously started laughing. Yes, laughing. For me these will always be the bizarre bells of San Benedetto! Was it the Bellini, or do they make you giggle, too?
Giggling aside now for a few moments, the stark facade of the Church of San Benedetto, which is easy to walk right past without noticing, gives no clue of the Baroque interior and beautiful decorations within. Built at the beginning of the 17th century, San Benedetto is small church with a single nave with four side chapels. Its vaulted ceiling is decorated in typical Baroque elements in a light colors that make the small space seen larger.
The most notable feature of San Benedetto is its decorated ceramic floor from the 1700s, typical in churches along the Amalfi Coast during this period. Walking around the church, you will find lavish floral decorations festooned with fruit and birds. Unfortunately, much of the floor is in poor condition, but here are a couple of shots I took of the areas in better condition:
The photos above are from two years ago. After walking by San Benedetto countless times, one day I walked by and the doors were open. Always curious, I popped inside to see what it looked like. Here in Italy you never know quite what you’ll find inside a church. San Benedetto in Amalfi was a lovely surprise!
Grazie!! What a great combination: bells and BELLinis…
Breezy days,
~Lola
That church is gorgeous and I have always loved the sounds from those bells. Looks like Lola and I were on the same wave length this week. I posted a bellini on my blog too on the same day it seems.
Ciao Lola! Ha ha… I missed that… bells and BELLinis. Thanks for making me smile!
Ciao Linda! What a coincidence! There is definitely something in the air. I just added in a link to your great Bellini post, too. Thanks for the heads up! 🙂
Wow, those are some hyped-up bells! Funny!
I love those bells. Where I live outside Naples, I never hear any, so that's for sharing them!
BTW – Since you are down South, would you possibly know a bit more on how to get to the Magna Graecia ruins of Velia? I'm trying to find more information for a trip there, but can't seem to find an exact address. (It's part of the Arte Card special… so discounts!)
Ciao,
Barbara
Ciao Valerie! That's a good way to describe those bells. It was one of those strangely funny moments in life!
Ciao Barbara! I have an ongoing collection of videos of church bells here on the Amalfi Coast, so just let me know anytime you want to hear some! 🙂 I am checking about Velia, and I will be in touch soon via email with any info I can dig up.
I am making your recipe for Bellinis. The pureed peaches are chilling in the freezer right now – I'm sure it will be delicious. I am enjoying your blog.
Ciao Laura! Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet comment. How did the Bellinis turn out? You are one step ahead of me since I haven't tried Lola's or Linda's recipes yet. I think a taste test is in order though! 🙂
The Bellini's were fabulous…I sugared the rim of the glasses and chilled them in the freezer for a few minutes…a perfect summer evening treat!
Ciao Laura! Thanks for the update to let us know. 🙂 And thanks for the great tips!