Visit the magnificent Villa Rufolo in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast, with Campania>Artecard.

The Monumental Complex of Villa Rufolo, built in the 13th century, is Ravello’s crown jewel. From the tower overlooking Piazza Duomo, visitors can explore the Moorish Cloister, the Torre Maggiore, and the gardens, a stunning example of 19th-century Romanticism. Known as the "Garden of the Soul," these gardens were visited in 1880 by composer Richard Wagner, who saw in them the long-dreamed garden of Klingsor from Parsifal.

The Rufolo family was one of the most powerful in Ravello, symbolizing wealth and influence during the Middle Ages. They built a magnificent residence, blending Arab, Byzantine, and local styles. However, their opposition to the Angevins during the Sicilian Vespers led to their downfall by 1285.

Their villa, Villa Rufolo, is believed to have inspired Giovanni Boccaccio, who stayed there. After the fall of the Rufolo family, the villa passed through various owners until it fell into ruin in the 19th century. It was later restored by Scottish nobleman Sir Francis Nevile Reid, who created the iconic gardens that inspired Wagner.

Following Reid’s death, the villa was once again divided, and in 1974, part of the property was acquired by the EPT of Salerno, ensuring its preservation as a cultural and artistic landmark

This site is part of a mini circuit that includes Villa Rufolo, the Ravello Cathedral Museum, the Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium, and the excavations of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity. By using just one entry included in the pass, visitors can explore all the sites in the mini circuit within two consecutive days.