 Introduction
Arrival Plane
Naples Capodichino Airport (NAP) is southern Italy's main airport, linking Naples with most Italian and several major European cities. For getting to or from the airport to Naples, there are two possibilities: ANM bus 3S (30mins, every 15mins) to Piazza Garibaldi, or the Alibus airport bus (20mins, at least hourly) to Piazza Municipio.
Train
You can get a direct train from Milan,Rome and Naples.
Car
From Rome take the main road A1 going south. At Naples take road A3 direction SALERNO.
Bus
SITA runs buses to Salerno (by motorway). From throughout Campania.
Sea
There are regular connection from Amalfi and other coastal centers operated by Coop, Sant'Andrea, Metro del Mare and Alicost. Ferries sail from Positano to Salerno (about EUR6); Amalfi to Salerno (EUR5); and Salerno to Capri (EUR11.50). A hydrofoil connects Amalfi to Salerno (EUR5.50); Salerno to Positano (EUR8.50; and Salerno to Capri (EUR13.50). Hydrofoils usually run only in summer, less frequently than ferries. Tickets can be purchased at booths usually located on piers and docks.
History and Culture
In 194 B.C it became a Roman colony under the name of “Salernum“. The colony progressed, enriching its culture and its traditions, even during the Goti dominion. But only after the Lombardy conquest did it become the most flourishing centre of southern Italy.
In 786, Arechi II transferred the ducal seat of Benevento to Salerno to escape an attack by Carlo Magno and gain control of a strategic area between the coast and inland comunications. The Longobard prince fortified the town, which already possessed the castle on the Bonadies hill, with walls and towers, thus the new capitol became a principality seat and political centre.
During the reign of Arechi II, Salerno knew great splendour, becoming the seat of the oldest medical institution in western europe. The famous School of Medicine became known for its precious scientific discoveries fundamental for the present day.
On 13 th December 1076, the Norman leader Roberto the Guiscard, conquered Salerno, bringing an end to the old age domination. The Terracina Castle and Cathedral were built under Norman rule and great importance was given to science, in particular the School of Medicine. At the end of the century, a period of economical awakening was registered in the town with the coming of the Normans. Manfred, the son of Federico II, built the jetty which has still his name today and founded the annual fair of S. Mathew, the most significant of its kind in southern Italy.
After the XVI century most of the province of Salerno was ruled by the Princes of Sanseverino, strong overlords who attracted men of art and culture to the town. In the first decade of the XVI century, the last descendant of the Sanseverino's disagreed with the Spanish government, bringing ruin to the family which brought decline to the town.
The years 1656, 1688 and 1694 are painful dates for Salerno: plague and earthquakes produced numerous victims. A slow rebirth of the town began at the end of the Spanish empire, during the XVIII century, with the construction of many lordly properties and churches which can still be seen today in the old town.
In 1799, Salerno became part of the Neapolitan Republic. During this period, Gioacchino Murat demanded the closure of the School of Medicine. Religious orders were suppressed at the same time and many ecclesiastical properties were confiscated.
The town expanded outside the ancient walls. An urban development of the area began which continued after the Unity of Italy up to the second world war with the expansion of many suburban areas and the construction of both public and residential buildings.
In September 1943, Salerno witnessed the allied landings and from 12 th February to 17 th July 1944 was the seat of the Badoglio government. The aftermath of war was difficult for all Italians, but Salerno has slowly succeeded in growing and devolping into a modern european town.
Churches and Museums
The Cathedral of Salerno (Duomo) is the main church of the city of Salerno It is dedicated to St. Matthew, one of the four Evangelists. Begun by Robert Guiscard in 1076 on a pre-existing church, the Duomo was consecrated by Pope Gregory VII in 1085. It was several times modified in the following centuries, until a restoration in the 1930s brought it back to an appearance similar to the original one. The main entrance has been altered and the courtyard is surrounded by a covered walkway supported by twenty eight plain columns with arches and a series of Roman tombs around the walls. On the southern side of the cathedral stands the bell tower which dates back to XII century. Artworks include two pulpits with mosaic decorations, paintings by Francesco Solimena, a 14th century Gothic statue of Madonna with Child and the sepulchres of queen Margherita of Durazzo and of archbishop Bartolomeo d'Arpano, and the tomb of Gregory VII. The crpyt, housing the remains of St. Matthew, is a cross-vaulted hall with a basilica-like plan divided by columns. It was restored under design by Domenico Fontana in 1606-1608, with marble decorations added in the 18th century.
St. Benedict
St. Benedict was originally part of monastery from 7th-9th centuries, connected to a massive aqueduct whose remains are still visible today. After the Saracen destruction in 884, it was rebuilt by Abbot Angelarius with a nave and two aisles. Remains of an entrance quadriporticus can still be seen.
St. George
St. George is the most noteworthy Baroque church in Salerno, thanks to its high-quality frescoes by Francesco and Angelo Solimena (late 17th century). It is related to one of the most ancient monasteries of the city, dating back to the early 9th century, of which remains of apse frescoes has been recently brought to light.
Church of Annunziata
The history of the church of Annunziata (Our Lady of the Annunciation) dates back to the middle of the 14 th century. The church facade overlooking Via Porta Catena is work of the Neapolitan craftsman Francesco Ragozzino. The work on the splendid high alter in marble tarsia is that of Filippo and Giovanni Ragozzino and Matteo Bottigliero. The work commissioned in 1716 was actually completed in 1727. Matteo Bottigliero, one of the principle Neapolitan sculptors of the 1700s, carried out the work on two statues “the torch holding angels” placed at the head of the alter and the “scroll holding puttos” at the sides of the alter.
Museo Provinciale
A little way east of the cathedral in Salerno, in Via San Benedetto, is the interesting Provincial Museum, with antiquities, including an over-life-size bronze head of Apollo of the first century B.C. and pictures.
Historical buildings and monuments
The Arechi castle situated on Mount Bonadies, 300 metres above sea level dominates the town from a northern position forming a triangular defensive system. The castle assumed military importance in the VIII century, during the reign of the Lombard Prince Arechi II, who extended and rebuilt it to the same standards of Roman and Byzantine times.
Terracena Castela
The Terracena Castela was built by Robert Guiscard in 1076-1086 as a Royal mansion, next to the Eastern walls. Only scarces remains (mainly tower-houses in tufa) can be seen today, as it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1275.
Palazzo Copeta
Palazzo Copeta is situated in Via Trotula de' Ruggiero in a part of the old town known as “Planum Montis&148;. The family who originally lived there were not of nobile origin, although one of its members had been a bishop, as one can see from the coat of arms over the doorway. Facing west towards the sea, the stately home dominates the whole gulf. Its structure and decorations refer to the architectural culture of the Neapolitan 1700's.
The Carnale Fort
The fort dating to 1563 was part of a defensive system against the Saracen invasions. According to historians the name was given to the fort following a Saracen massacre which took place on the headland in 872. Originally the fort stood on the headland but following the construction of the highway number 18, it was cut back. The presence of iron in the walls and its position lead one to believe it was a so called “cavalry tower". Men on horseback who lived in the tower would warn the towns people in case of attack. Around about the 1600s the tower was used by Ippolito from Pastena as a base during the anti Spanish revolt against the french invasion, thereby preventing Salerno from surrendering. During the last war, the fort was used as a gun post; traces still exist today. Today the Fort is used for cultural events.
Places of Interest
The archeological site which is surrounded by a wall covers an area of about 4,500 square metres. It was turned into a park in the 1950s and the more relevant remains were brought to light. About half of the area is covered by remains of buildings dating back to VI century B.C. Later it was inhabited by Etruscans, Greeks and indigenous peoples. There are also important remains of a Sannitic Necropolis made up of eight tombs in grey local stone, two of which have spaces with funeral beds complete with head rests.
Villa Carrara
Villa Carrara was once a country residence. Its construction dates to the 1700s, with evident adjustments dating to the 1800s. The facade of the building is a mixture between the classical and neo gothic style with a vulcanic stone portal and a double gallery resting on a high base. Originally the mansion had a park which extended to the sea. The residence belonged to the noble Carrara family, originally from Montecorvino, who moved to Salerno in the first years of the 1700s. The last descendant of the Carrara family, known by the name of Domenico, left all his possessions in his will dated 15 th April 1953, to the Sovreign Military Order of Malta.
Cava de' Tirreni
Near Salerno, surrounded by hills, is the attractively situated little town of Cava de' Tirreni, a popular holiday resort. On the hills around the town are dotted slender round towers, many of which are still used to trap wild pigeons in October, the birds being attracted by small white stones thrown from the towers and are then caught in nets.
Events
Celebrate Camapnia's fine buffalo mozzarella during Salerno's annual mozza festival, where those interested may follow the production process from beginning to end. Visitors will be amazed by the number of delectable varieties of the cheese the region produces.
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Salerno Travel Guide
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