Visit the Piazza Sant’Antonino to spend a few quiet moments in an attractive old square of scented blooms and palm and orange trees. This small green oasis in the city center is bordered by bars, restaurants, an 11th-century basilica and Sorrento's town hall building.
Enjoy a short walk along paved paths lined by neatly cut lawns that are sheltered from the sun by the trees. Gaze up at the statue of St. Antonino Abate which stands on a plinth in the center of the plaza. According to legend, this revered 5th and 6th-century abbot and hermit saved the life of a child who had been swallowed by a whale. He is also credited with protecting the city from plague and invasions.
Contemplate the beauty of the piazza while sipping a creamy cappuccino in one of the bars that overlook it.
Visit the Basilica of St. Antonino, a medieval Roman Catholic church that is the oldest in the city. Tour the interior for its many works of art including a painting of the 1648 siege of Sorrento. It was created by Giacomo del Po, a baroque painter who worked in the 17th and 18th centuries. Go down into the crypt to see the tomb of St. Antonino. The church is also home to a large number of relics or mortal remains of several saints including St. Candida, St. Bacolo and St. Lucidio.
On the opposite side of the square is the Conservatorio Scuola Santa Maria delle Grazie, a primary school that is part of the Santa Maria delle Grazie church complex. Step inside the 16th-century place of worship for its religious paintings, statues and majolica floor.
Piazza Sant’Antonino is located in the city center, less than a 5-minute walk north from Piazza Tasso, Sorrento’s main square. If you are in a rental car, you can park for a fee in garages located in nearby streets.
