Il Divino Maniero, Furore

Il Divino Maniero is a building that dates back to the sixteenth century. The style is typical of the Amalfi Coast, as depicted by Escher in his 1937 lithograph Houses in Positano. It was built into a cliff and is made up of several modular sections that are more or less quadrilateral in shape. Each block is topped by a cloister vault (typical for the area). This building differs from regular farmhouses because all the sections are connected by an internal staircase. The rooms on the ground floor were once working areas such as stalls, poultry-houses, barns, equipment storage, and a kitchen with an oven for baking, and the upstairs rooms were used as bedrooms. The thickness of the walls was notable at the time of construction and still is today. They are better than any modern method of protection from the rigors of winter and the heat during the summer months. The space enclosed by the sections (today the beautiful Terraza San Michele) functioned as an extension of the living area and was where rural life took place. The garden and the rain water collection tank rendered the house self-sufficient. Il Divino Maniero is also unique because of its unusual fortification consisting of embrasures and a watch tower that, together with its tactical position with respect to the coast, rendered it unconquerable by invaders. The dwelling was abandoned for decades. The last families lived here in 1960, and in the years following, the house fell into ruin. The current owners, lovers of the Amalfi Coast, came across it by chance in 2006. Even though it was just a ruin, it was love at first sight. Today the owners, after nine years of work, are opening the doors of Il Divino Maniero – not only for picturesque holiday stays, but also for various magnificent guided tours of the Amalfi Coast. After crossing the entranceway, guests enter an immense, verdant, and fragrant courtyard where a lemon tree, native to the Amalfi Coast, decorates the ancient walls. The kitchen, dining room, and parlor with its romantic chimney are also on the ground floor, adjacent to the courtyard. Yes, a chimney – for those of you who have never tried it, spending winter on the Amalfi Coast is a romantic vacation with a slow-paced atmosphere fare from the chaos of the city. An air of conviviality emanates from the rustic kitchen, where a large central work table, made from reclaimed wood from the building’s old fixtures, commands attention. The floor, just like everywhere in the house, is made from square terra cotta tiles. The kitchen corner is dominated by a rustic hood decorated with antique copper pots and pans. The atmosphere is rendered authentic by the multicolored Neapolitan tiles that form the backdrop for the stoves. The kitchen opens into the dining room, which is embellished with coral objects that represent the owner’s true passion. In the dining room, aside from the antique wooden table, there is an eighteenth century Neapolitan sideboard where jam tarts, pastries, and fresh fruit are served for breakfast. In addition to being a place known for its delicious meals, the room is also a place where guests can relax with a book, watch a movie, or listen to music. After climbing a characteristic staircase which has only become more beautiful over time, guests arrive on the second floor where the bedrooms are located. The enchanting atmosphere that pervades offers guests the opportunity to create unique memories. All the rooms are furnished with refined elegance and sophistication down to the last detail. The style recalls the Baroque Era, and antiques, silks, and carved frames are harmoniously combined with the extraordinary natural beauty that peeks in through the windows and balconies adjacent to the rooms. The discreetly lit vaulted ceiling in each room adds yet another evocative detail in the evening. The furniture and carpets with their neutral colors provide a backdrop on which the imposing natural beauty emerges. All the beds are exquisite – some are carved and covered in gold leaf and others are covered in fine velvet, which gives them an absolutely royal touch. The Santa Rosa room has a lower level where you will find a bathroom embellished with a Venetian console table and a sitting area with a desk, and a loft with a carved gold leaf bed. The room is characterized by gold and brown colors. The Sant’Alfonso room contains a rosewood wardrobe, two armchairs, and a bed, all dating back to the eighteenth century and masterfully reupholstered by local artisans. An antique Neapolitan chandelier, beautifully crafted from wrought iron covered in gold leaf, stands out against the walls with hand-painted stripes that give the room an exquisite masculine character. The Sant’Andrea room has a seductive charm. Everything in the room has been selected with utmost care. A majestic upholstered bed dominates the room, which is embellished with gorgeous crystal chandeliers and period furniture. The wood paneling highlights the delicate nuances of the curtains that frame unforgettable views. The room also has a terrace with a private solarium. Every room has a bathroom that is as unique as it is welcoming, as well as heating and air conditioning with independent temperature controls, an LED television, internet access, a minibar, and a safe.