In the fantastic scenery of Praiano the 'Heart of the Coastal Amalfitana' Villa Mariapia is found, a house built on a rocky wall to peak on the sea.The house is very near to the beach of Praiano and is easy to be reached afoot. Besides, there is cave on the sea level between the bluff and the house, attainable from the sea. The stop of the bus is found really closed the Villa. Near to the Villa there is the famous night club 'L'Africana' that from 2010 became a lounge plain bar host to many stars of the show and had the best local and international artists. You can found restaurant characteristic and particular just a few meter far on spectacular pedestrian path on the coast. The sea is under the balconies and, if you desire, you can plunge you inside, literally. There is small swimming pool. The villa has big terraces it is possible to catch the sun and to have meal to the open one. the Saracen tower of about 1500 that is hosting an exhibition of paintings and pottery stands majestic
Christmas in Praiano: The Christmas in Coastal Amalfitana is fantastic there are very beautiful demonstrations to Positano, Amalfi, Ravello
Every year, since 1606, Praiano inhabitants used to decorate its balconies, terraces, gardens with lighting system composed by wax and oil. This custom handed from 1599, when Dominican Monks came to the Monastery of Santa Maria a Castro, placed on the hill above Praiano.“Luminaria” is an Event which comes true every year from August 1st to August 4th to celebrate San Domenico.On August 4th , very early in the morning (the first Mass is at 6.30 am), Praiano celebrates San Domenico’s Festival.“Luminaria” has a particular meaning: Domenico’s Mother, before giving him birth, she dreamed a dog with a torch in his mouth to burn the world. So when Domenico was born he had to diffuse “God’s word all over the world”.
Garden and the Saracen Towers: In the villa there are beautiful garden with secular trees
Near the villa there is a famous 'Towel Suppraiano' the tower of Praiano that witnesses the villa was built for stopping the Saracen invasions around 1500 after cristo.'Grotte Incantate' (enchanted grottoes) This time the audience will be able to experience the emotion of a concert in a sea grotto( Around last Week of August). Swim along the bay of Praiano, discovering the wonderful marine grottoes of Suppraiano,Le Grotticelle,Fontana Dell'altare, and Il Forno.. Instructors from the association swimtrekking will accompany you on a swimming visit of the coastline to arrive at the grotto where the concert will be held.On the occasion of the visit to the path of the gods or to assist to the concerts is possible to effect an excursion with Guides. an other interesting event is white night in Praiano that realizes it around the 10th of August.
shopping and restaurants: Below the mountain called St. Angelo a Tre Pizzi which stands 364 m, there is a church dedicated to St. Maria a Castro surrounded by some wonderful flora and fauna that is so typical in these mountain areas and this is also where the monastery of St. Domenico is situated. From this magnificent place you can admire a breathtaking view overlooking Vettica Maggiore, Positano, Li Galli and Capri’s island.
The first official document regarding this place is dated 1599, a document of Naples University that allowed the monks to build the monastery.
The interior structure is composed of two levels, on the first one there are four cells and a kitchen, on the ground floor an oven and cistern.
In the inside church there are many paintings. On the walls on the left nave there is one dating back to 1430 called Madonna delle Grazie, and recently removed sections of the wall allow most part of work to be seen.
