Situated close to water level in a central part of Positano, in Piazza Flavio Gioia, this church is…read morean easily recognizable landmark with it's colorful gold and teal majorlica-tiled dome visible from the east, and it's clean, rectangular facade.
Founded as a Benedictine abbey dedicated to Saint Vitus around the 10th century, even then, it was built over a former Roman villa previously established in the 8th century, (now excavated and able to be visited via guided tours). Known for its Black Madonna and Child, a Byzantine iconographic painting above the main altar, this arrived in the 12th century supposedly under curious circumstances.
Story goes that enroute from Constantinople, smuggled on a pirate ship, the ship experienced a lull in wind and current close to Positano, where the sailors heard a voice calling "Posa, posa!" ("Put me down, put me down!") so the icon was brought to shore and placed in a church. The next morning the icon was found outside on the ground, wrapped in a bush, and locals were mystified, taking this as a sign to build a church on that site and dedicate it to the Virgin Mary as their new patron saint. The free-standing bell tower was built later in 1707.
On a sunny day the cool interior provided a welcome shelter for a short while from the sun. The interior reads a blend of Baroque and Neoclassical, with last major renovation affecting the building layout in the late 18th century. White walls with gold trim, along with arched windows set into the ceiling and bringing in sunlight, give the interior an elegant, warm feel. It's also popular for weddings in this region, so on a weekend you might run into a wedding being held here.
For more info:
https://www.travelamalficoast.it/en/the-church-of-santa-maria-assunta-in-positano-amalfi-coast
https://chiesapositano.it/en/church-of-s-maria-assunta/