The history of the Covo dei Saraceni
The Savino family’s tradition in Positano
The Covo’s origins date back to the second half of the 19th century, when Clemente Savino, a coral merchant and sailor, chose this beachfront house as a home for his family. On his return from the Americas, Clemente recognised the area's potential as a tourist destination, an insight later developed by his four sons who, having given up fishing, began to guide the first foreign visitors on tours of the coast.
From the Covo dei Saraceni...
The name "Covo dei Saraceni", one of Positano’s historic hotels, preserves the memory of local folklore. Its name derives from the fact that, in the 1950s, these rooms were the base, the real "hideout", for the performers in the historic re-enactment of the Saracen Landing: this is where they prepared and dressed up before staging the famous assault on the village, transporting Positano back to the epic atmosphere of the Saracen raids.
1956-2026: SEVENTY YEARS OF HISTORY
In 1955, the family opened the restaurant and, the following year, the hotel as well, marking the start of a period of growth that transformed their family-run hospitality – which until then had been spontaneous and homely – into a fully-fledged business, destined to leave its mark on the history of hospitality in Positano.
The beauty of the building did not go unnoticed by the film industry, with its terraces chosen as the setting for films such as the 1961 film "Leoni al Sole" starring Franca Valeri, and the 1994 American film "Only You" starring Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr., making the Covo an icon of Positano’s romantic imagery.
Over the decades, the Covo dei Saraceni has played a key role in shaping Positano’s development as a tourist destination, whilst staying true to its family history and local roots. A journey built on continuity and vision, which has strengthened the identity of Il Covo as an iconic symbol of Positano’s hospitality.
