Positano City Map Poster

About Positano

The town is divided into two parts, the old town (Positano proper) and the new town (La Punta). The village lies between terraced hillsides in a small valley called "Cava dell' Amore", which translates as 'the cave of love'. It has been said that if you can't make it to heaven, then Positano will do. The first records of this area date from around 1000 AD when fishermen began to settle here. In 1044 their community was given official status by the Norman Count Roger I who gave them fishing rights on his coast and protection against pirates in return for military service. At that time there were only four families living here but over time more people arrived until they numbered 300 at one point during 1550-1600s when they became involved with piracy themselves along with other villages on this stretch of coast such as Vietri sul Mare, Maiori and Minori.