Sedile Dominova

The eternal card game under the frescoed Sedile Dominova of Sorrento

While tourists and locals mill about the streets in the late afternoon, the town elders (or at least those who are members of the Worker's Society of Mutual Support) gather on the 15th century loggia of the Sedile Dominova at the corner of Via S. Cesareo and Via P.R. Giuliano to play inscrutable Italian cards games at tiny wooden tables under the majestic (albeit fading) 18th-century frescoes.

The men are members of the Worker's Society of Mutual Support—Italy, especially in the south, is full of these union-like clubs for retirees.

Their communal living room is a high porch, raised above street level and open on two sides, built in the 16th century as the seat of power for one of the two ruling noble families in town.

If you filter back amid the bar umbrellas on the tiny piazza out front to the far side of the square, you can glimpse the 17th century majolica cupola, tiled in shiny ceramic dragon scales of green and yellow and sprouting weeds.

Tips & links

Details

Sedile Dominova
Via S. Cesareo at Via P.R. Giuliano
Always open

How long does Sorrento take?

Planning your time: Sorrento has maybe 2-3 hours of mediocre sightseeing. To be brutally honest it is probably the least interesting town in this area. It is only famous for its location.

Sorrento makes an ideal base for exploring Campania thanks to its location at the nexus of regional public transit—pretty much the only place from which you can get anywhere without having to change mode of transportation: Trains direct to Pompeii and Naples; ferries to Capri; buses or ferries down the Amalfi Coast.

If you prefer the home-base style of travel, Sorrento is the perfect base. Figure on three days/two nights here (hit Pompeii on the train ride down from Naples—you can store your luggage temporarily at the Pompei train station—then spend one day each visiting Capri and the Amalfi Coast).

If, however, you prefer to travel from town to town, just treat Sorrento as a way-station to switch from train to bus or ferry; skip Sorrento entirely and sleep in a more interesting locale on the Amalfi Coast or Capri.

» Sorrento itineraries

Amalfi Coast tours
Useful links & resources

Share this page

Intrepid Travel 25% off

Search ReidsItaly.com

Details
Sedile Dominova
Via S. Cesareo at Via P.R. Giuliano
Always open


Useful links
Train tix

Shortcuts to popular planning sections:

Airfares, Cars, Trains, Tours, Packages, Cruises, Lodging, Itineraries, Info, Packing, Prep, Comm

Follow ReidsItaly
Follow ReidsItaly on Twitter  Join the ReidsItaly fan page  Follow Reids Italy Adventures blog