The Coral Museum offers a glimpse into one of the most storied and culturally significant artisan industries in southern Italy: coral crafting. Learn about the coral harvest off the coastline of Campania and Sardinia and how this “red gold” is made into jewelry, cameos, and sculptures that are said to bring health and fortune. Stop in this museum while touring Ravello’s villas and churches on your own or as part of an all-day Amalfi Coast tour from Naples, Sorrento, or Salerno.
The museum is set behind a small shop where you can purchase hand-crafted coral cameos and jewelry as well as good-luck charms and other pieces.
Museum admission is free.
The museum is accessible to wheelchair users.
When visiting Ravello, you’ll want to wear a hat and sunscreen as you will be outside for much of the day.
The Coral Museum is on Piazza Duomo, the main square in Ravello, a clifftop town that can only be reached by car or bus from Salerno, Sorrento, or other towns along the coast. Ferries also run from Sorrento to Amalfi, where buses connect to Ravello. Guided tours usually include round-trip transportation.
The Coral Museum is open Monday through Thursday, from 10am to 12pm. Ravello can be crowded in the summer, and many of the restaurants, shops, and other businesses close in winter. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall, when the town is lively but less crowded.
The coral museum was founded in 1986 by Giorgio Filocamo, a descendant of many generations of coral artisans who amassed the museum’s collection and also made many of the pieces on display. The museum is housed in the back of his family’s historic shop, and most days you can watch Giorgio in his workshop. If you are lucky, he might take you around the museum personally and point out his family heirlooms and the highlights of the collection.