Magic Lantern slide circa 1900 hand coloured. Titled Cities and places of interest in the Mediterranean.36.??”AMALFI. Also near at hand to Sorrento and situated in the Bay of Salerno is Amalfi, a once powerful little town, which, sheltered on three sides by enormous rocks and mountains and protected on the fourth by the sea, was enabled to maintain its independence against all enemies. Now, however, it has fallen into obscurity, and few except antiquarians visit it, whilst the inhabitants' only -means, of support are the manufacture of soap??”an article which, from their appearance, it is to be feared they do not themselves use. Amalfi lays claim to having given birth to the inventor of the compass; this claim, however, is disputed by a number of other towns.