Sorrento's name came from the Greek word for "siren", the legendary half-bird, half-women who sang an intoxicating lullaby. According to Homer, the sirens lived on an island and no one ever sailed by without giving in to their musical charm, leading to their death. However Homer's Ulysses was going to hear the songs without dying so he plugged his oar and ears and strapped himself to the mast of the ship. The sirens thought they lost their power since they did not lure Ulysses in so they jumped from the island to their death, leaving the island safe toe inhabit. Today Sorrentines work to create a safe, fun environment. The Main Street closes to vehicle traffic at 7:30pm and people walk up and down, shopping, eating gelato, looking at street performers and just taking in the beauty of Sorrento.
Once you arrive in Sorrento, you make your way to Piazza Tasso...the meeting point of the main roads, the place to be seen, and meet your friends and the area that spans the gorge.
Just off the Piazza is Via Santa Maria Della Pieta. This street goes back centuries before Christ. There is a 13th century palace (without a balcony for security reasons) that is now an elementary school.
The Sorrento's men's club was once a meeting place for the towns nobles however now it is a retreat for hard working middle class men. Women are not allowed to enter because Italian men venerate their mothers and women in their lives and the men do not want to expose them to the gossip, jokes and card games.
I had such a great time just look at views from Sorrento and walking around seeing the people on holiday! These are some other pictures from Sorrento while I was there.
He is selecting the fish he will eat tonight.
Dali exhibit was here and bronze statues of his work was all around town.
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