Amalfi

Of Roman origin, was constantly sacked and then abandoned until the ninth century proclaimed itself independent maritime republic, giving its sailors the law of the sea, the "Tabula de Amalpha". Amalfi built its own ships, with three floors and more than 116 rowing, marketed with the East, spices and fabrics importing and exporting its products such as paper made from papyrus first, then from hemp Chinese.
Numerous watchtowers, antinormanne and Saracen who meet all along the coast, witnesses of the most prosperous period of the power of the city. Home of Flavio Gioia, inventor of the compass. Amalfi has built over the centuries many convents and hospitals: in 1020 in Jerusalem, Brother Gerardo Sasso from Scala, founded the hospital that will become home of the 'Order of the Knights of St. John of the Poor.