Piazza Tasso, Sorrento

Square in Sorrento

Sorrento, Piazza Tasso — CC BY-SA 2.0 / Berthold Werner

Torquato Tasso, born in 1544, stands on a granite pedestal in the square named after him, Tasso Square. Regarded as the greatest poet of his era, Tasso died in 1595, just days before he was to be crowned King of Poets by Pope Clement VIII. His statue shares the square with that of Saint Antonino, who sought asylum in Sorrento during the Lombard invasions of the 6th century.

Originally called Largo del Castello (Big Castle Square), the square was once home to the 15th-century castle of Ferdinand of Aragon, which was demolished in 1843. The monument to Torquato Tasso was dedicated in 1870. The square is situated above the deep gorge that divides the center of Sorrento.

Surrounding the square are several grand historical buildings. The Correale Palace, with its tiled courtyard, was rebuilt in 1768. The Church of Santa Maria del Carmine is located in the northern part of the square. Inside, you can find a 1710 ceiling painting by Onofrio Avellino of the Virgin with Saint Simon, as well as 16th-century gilded reliquaries containing saints’ bones.

Tasso Square serves as the main square and is considered the entry point to historic old Sorrento. It is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and bars, making it a bustling hub of activity. The Fauno Bar is a popular spot for enjoying a cappuccino and pastry. Italy Avenue (Corso Italia), the main shopping street, branches off from Tasso Square, with many smaller shopping side streets extending from it.

Crossing over the gorge, you can access Sorrento’s Marina Grande, where you can catch a water bus (vaporetto) to the Isle of Capri, the exotic playground of Emperor Tiberius. From Tasso Square, you can also find tour trolleys and hop-on, hop-off open-top sightseeing buses, and even horse-drawn carriages.

Tasso Square is a vibrant and busy place. Visitors should be cautious of motor traffic, especially scooters, as they navigate this lively area.

The Piazza Tasso, Sorrento appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Sorrento!

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