Amalfis

Amalfis is a term occasionally used to refer to the inhabitants of Amalfi, a town on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, southern Italy. The form is not the standard English demonym; more common usages are Amalfians or Amalfitani in Italian. As a result, Amalfis often appears in older texts, regional histories, or works of fiction to evoke the historical identity of Amalfi.

Geography and origins: Amalfi sits on a cliff‑and‑sea landscape along the Tyrrhenian coast. The town and its hinterland are known for terraced hillsides, citrus groves, and a long maritime tradition. The name Amalfi derives from the town, which has been a regional center since antiquity.

History: In the Middle Ages, Amalfi was the seat of a powerful maritime republic that traded across the Mediterranean and maintained relations with Byzantium and other powers. The republic declined after Norman conquest and later became part of the Kingdom of Naples. Today the Amalfi Coast is celebrated for its scenery and cultural heritage.

Culture and landmarks: Notable sites include the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, the historic Cloister of Paradise, and the Paper Museum illustrating Amalfi's traditional papermaking. The region is also associated with the Sfusato Amalfitano lemon and with liqueurs such as limoncello.

Modern context: The area relies heavily on tourism, agriculture, and crafts. The coastal towns, including Amalfi, are part of the broader UNESCO World Heritage designated Amalfi Coast (inscribed in 1997), which recognizes the landscape, architecture, and cultural history of the stretch from Positano to Vietri sul Mare.