Villa Rufolo was built between the XI, and the XIII century, when Ravello was founded by Roman aristocrats. The Villa Rufolo is a standing example of the Arabian style architecture that was typical in the south of Italy during the Norman domination.

The beautiful gardens and the view of Villa Rufolo, that have bewitched so many travelers, were also the source of inspiration for the famous Richard Wagner, who used his experiences from the Villa to compose his “Parsifal”.

Villa Rufolo is also mentioned in a famous work of Italian ancient literature, the "Decameron", by Giovanni Boccaccio.

The view from Villa Rufolo's terrace is a must see in Ravello, like the Villa Cimbrone's "Terrace of Infinity", and it is the perfect setting for the festival of classical music that is held there each year.