History of Sorrento
Latest page update: 18 January 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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The history of Sorrento is a long tale that dates back some 2,600 years. What we see now is a city of orange and lemon trees which boasts the most spectacular views of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples, but much has happened here for us to arrive at this point.
It’s known as the land of mermaids, mysteries, myths and legends where Ulysses was tormented by the Sirens sweetly singing. The Greeks founded Sorrento in the 6th century BC and called it Surreo which means to “flow together” and it may refer to the flow of the two ancient rivers. |
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The Greeks laid the foundations of the city before the Romans built over it and called it Surrentum. It was occasionally known as Sirrentum which means "Land of Sirens". The word Surriento is still used in Neapolitan dialect. The layout of the historic centre of Sorrento has not changed much since Roman times and it was united with the Kingdom of Italy in the year 1861.
In 1544 the poet, Torquato Tasso, was born in Sorrento and the main square in the centre of town, Piazza Tasso, was named after him.
The famous song, "Torna a Surriento", or (Come Back To Sorrento), was written here in 1902 by Ernesto De Curtis. His brother, Giambattista De Curtis, wrote the words. The Hotel Tramontano, on the cliff overlooking Marina Piccola, has a plaque on the wall where the song was allegedly written. It’s said that the enchanting views of Sorrento inspired him to write the song.
Eddie Best
You can find my photos of Sorrento and the surrounding area on my Flickr page here.
In 1544 the poet, Torquato Tasso, was born in Sorrento and the main square in the centre of town, Piazza Tasso, was named after him.
The famous song, "Torna a Surriento", or (Come Back To Sorrento), was written here in 1902 by Ernesto De Curtis. His brother, Giambattista De Curtis, wrote the words. The Hotel Tramontano, on the cliff overlooking Marina Piccola, has a plaque on the wall where the song was allegedly written. It’s said that the enchanting views of Sorrento inspired him to write the song.
Eddie Best
You can find my photos of Sorrento and the surrounding area on my Flickr page here.