Erin Byrnes

Background/History

Known for its landscape and rich history, Sorrento lies on a peninsula facing Naples. From Sorrento, you have views of Mt. Vesuvius and the isle of Capri.

The Greeks were first to settle here, with the oldest ruins dating back to 600 BC. It wasn’t until 1861 that Sorrento became a part of Italy, and it quickly became a popular tourist attraction. Some notable visitors include Charles Dickens, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Wilhelm Richard Wagner and Henrik Ibsen. I had the incredible opportunity of going to Sorrento before my freshman year of college, and I’ll be going again this summer to study and intern abroad. I can’t wait to take you on this journey with me.

Fact #1- Lemons & Limoncello

These lemon trees can be found all over the area and are native to Sorrento. The lemons typically have a thicker rind than what you’d find in the U.S., making them more aromatic. Since they’re harvested up to 4 times a year, locals find plenty of uses for these lemons, particularly Limoncello. About 60% of harvested lemons go toward making this liqueur made with alcohol, water and sugar. These enormous lemons are used for plenty of dishes like gelato, accompanying fish or other meats, jams, or eaten with sugar sprinkled on top.

Fact #2- Architecture

 There are two main parts of Sorrento; the historic-style town on one side and a suburban area with hotels on the other. What’s interesting is that the old town still has narrow streets that were utilized when the Romans had a colony there. This made it an important trading post in the middle ages. In some parts, the road is still made of cobblestones instead of concrete. The stone buildings that line the streets also date back to the Roman ages, with medieval, Gothic and Byzantine influences.

Fact #3- A Quiet Getaway

The oldest village in the Amalfi coast, Scala is about a 45 minute drive from Sorrento. With mountains surrounding the town, you can still see the walls that protected the coast during medieval times.

People often hike these mountains and are rewarded with incredible views and even a spring to swim in.

Fact #4- Popular Cuisine

When it comes to food safety, the Italian government is very strict. This means the government controls all aspects of food production and doesn’t allow artificial flavors or pesticides in produce. As a result, the food in general is better for you compared to the US, and it’s easy to find great local cuisine. Since Sorrento is on a peninsula, they’re best known for their seafood. Notably Spaghetti e Vongole, Frittura di Calamari & gamberi,  octopus casserole, shrimp sautéed and spider crab soup.

Fact #5- The Tyrrhenian Sea

This sea surrounds Sorrento and connects it by boat to Islands like Capri. The Tyrrhenian Sea has played an important cultural and social role throughout history, particularly in terms of international trade. Its strategic location allowed ships to connect from several eastern continents, including Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Today, the sea has maintained its role as a major trade and transportation route, receiving a number of vessels on a daily basis. It has become a popular tourist destination that’s home to several islands within its boundaries and a number of cities along its shorelines. These islands include the Aeolian archipelago, Ustica, and the Tuscan archipelago. The Tyrrhenian Sea is also home to a wide range of diverse plant and animal species. The fishing industry relies on large populations of sea bass, bluefin tuna, swordfish, and grouper.