Salerno: what to see in the city of the Arechi

Salerno is a beautiful town in Campania with a splendid gulf, at the foot of the Amalfi Coast. Here are some suggestions on what to see and what to do in the city of Campania, the places of interest in Salerno, the main attractions of the city. What to visit in Salerno, what to do.

View of Via del Porto in Salerno
View of Via del Porto in Salerno

Salerno has experienced a real tourist explosion, especially in recent years. Train terminus Italo e Frecciarossa, in the last period the city appears very lively and full of attractions. Salerno it has a very large province, the largest in the Campania. The Amalfi Coast, Cilento, Vallo di Diano, the Sele plain and the archaeological area of ​​the ancient Greek city Paestum, represent the flagship of the entire province of Salerno.

Salerno was dominated by Longobardi, in particular it was administered by Duke Arechi II. In the XNUMXth century "The Salerno Medical School” it was the first and most important medical institution at European level. Salerno also saw the domination of the Normans and then some Swabians, before giving in to the Spagnoli. The Gulf of Salerno it was the scene of the Allied landings (Operation Avalanche) during the Second World War, in September 1943. Let's see what's there to see in Salerno.

Salerno what to see

Salerno it is a splendid seaside city. The streets of the old city still retain the characteristics of the fishing place intact. It is an ideal half, both in summer and in winter. Thanks to the mild climate because it is located on the sea, the old city of Salerno and its waterfront Trieste, among the longest (and most beautiful) in Italy, during the warmer months and the Christmas holidays, they are packed with people. Salerno is also called "Garden City” thanks to the public spaces that grow year after year. For a few years (2006) Salerno has hosted a mega attraction during the Christmas period: Luci d'Artista also known as the Illuminations of Salerno.

Salerno: places of cultural interest

The Cathedral of Salerno

Il Cathedral of Salerno it was built in the XNUMXth century when the city became the capital of the Norman kingdom. The discovery of the relics of San Matteo, patron saint of Salerno, also present in the city's coat of arms and banner. Salerno Cathedral underwent a major renovation in the XNUMXth century, especially in the internal part. Outside the Cathedral there is a bell tower of Arab influence (XNUMXth century). ThereGate of the Lions, reachable via a staircase, opens onto the atrium, whose style is always of Arab influence. The Duomo it has a classic structure with three naves with mosaics, like that of the apse, of Byzantine influence. On the sides of the central nave, a series of chapels with art treasures and tombs. At the beginning of the left nave is the tomb of the Queen Margaret of Durazzo which dates back to the XNUMXth century.

Detail of the Salerno Cathedral
Detail of the Salerno Cathedral

The Diocesan Museum of Salerno Cathedral

The project of a Diocesan Museum of Salerno Cathedral it dates back to 1935 by Monsignor Arturo Capone, member of the Primate Chapter. Important is the series of illuminated manuscripts from the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries, among which the Exultet, a long scroll of parchment from the XNUMXth century, embellished with very fine miniatures, which was unrolled by the deacon during the liturgical ceremonies of Holy Saturday. The museum is located in the former Archbishop's Seminary of Salerno already home to the Salerno Medical School.

Diocesan Museum "S. Matteo", Salerno
Diocesan Museum “S. Matteo”, Salerno

The Provincial Archaeological Museum of Salerno

In the rear part of the Cathedral there is the convent complex of San Benedetto, home of the Provincial archaeological museum of Salerno. Inside the museum, divided into two floors, there are prehistoric finds from excavations throughout the province and a permanent exhibition of the Campania Etruscan center of Fratte. An area is entirely dedicated to ancient finds The toilet, Roman colony founded in 194 BC In the Gulf of Salerno, in 1930, a bronze head was found on display in this museum.

Provincial archaeological museum of Salerno
Provincial archaeological museum of Salerno

The Museums of Salerno

The city of Salerno it hosts several other very interesting museums. Among these stands out the Virtual museum of the Salerno medical school, Roberto Papi Museum linked to the Salerno Medical School located in Galdieri Palace in Via Trotula de Ruggiero, the Alfonso Tafuri ceramic collection.

Creative City Museum

Il Creative city museum of Salerno it is a dynamic center of ceramic experimentation, exhibition and documentation. It is located in Via Ogliara, 127/143 and is grafted onto an area with a historical-artisan background characterized since the Middle Ages by the extraction, export and transformation of clay. Unique sites can be visited such as the fagot kilns, which survived until the nineteenth century in full operation. Two of these have been renovated and are periodically activated according to the same nineteenth-century ritual. The old Terrani warehouses owned by the municipality have become the headquarters of the Museum and various urban furnishings have been created there, as well as periodically a series of exhibition events (biennials, experimental exhibitions) in which artists, architects and associations have participated.

The Arechi Castle

Il Castle of Arechi It has Roman-Byzantine origins and dominates the city of Salerno. Set on a hill, facing the Gulf of Salerno, Castle of Arechi it was enlarged by the Lombard prince Arechi II because it was important in its defense strategies and the kingdom's access to the sea. The toll booth was also expanded in the Norman, Angevin and Aragonese periods. One wing of the castle displays recovered material and is often used for exhibitions or conferences. IThe Medieval Monumental Complex of Salerno contains the Castle with the historical part and some halls where it is possible to hold conference events and private ceremonies, the Naturalistic Park, the Medieval Museum, the Multimedia Museum, furthermore, it hosts the headquarters of the Provincial Enoteca of Salerno and a characteristic refreshment point.

Il Castle of Arechi it is open every day from 9,00 to 14,00 and from 16,00 until one hour before sunset (Tel. 089.481014).

Arechi Castle of Salerno
Arechi Castle of Salerno

Fratte archaeological area

THEarchaeological area of ​​Fratte it extends over 4.500 mXNUMX. and it is entirely open and delimited by walls and preserves the remains of the town and the Etruscan-Samnite necropolis. It is set up as a park, leaving the most significant remains of the structures brought to light in sight. L'archaeological area of ​​Fratte it is located on the north-eastern outskirts of the city of Salerno, along the Irno river, in the current district Fratte, near the hamlets of Cappelle and Matierno. The area is located approximately one kilometer from the A2 junction Salerno-Fratte and is served by city buses and the train station Fratte Municipal Villa.

Monumental complex of San Pietro a Corte

It is a complex founded by the Lombards. The monumental complex of San Pietro a Corte it was wanted by the Duke of Benevento, Arechi II, who in 774, after the defeat of the Northern Lombards by Charlemagne, moved his residence from his city, then the capital of the duchy, to Salerno. Between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, a chapel dedicated to Marian worship was created. It was one of the headquarters of the Salerno Medical School.

Monumental complex of San Pietro a Corte - Photo SeiTv.itMonumental complex of San Pietro a Corte - Photo SeiTv.it

Salerno Tourism what to see

The historic center of Salerno: the medieval neighborhoods

The historic center of the ancient The toilet it was located between the stream Melting it (“Portacatena”), the beach, the Arechi castle hill (“Monte Bonadies”) and the historic climb of Carmine (near the “Portanova”). The ancient city was divided into four historic districts: Curtis DominicaLocus VeterensiumGreat GardenPlaium Montis. The historic center of Salerno retains its medieval origins. Narrow streets, churches and buildings of Lombard and Norman origin characterize this corner of the city which originates from the well-known Via dei Merchants which has its incipit inArch of Arechi dating back to the XNUMXth century.

10 Verdi Theater of Salerno

Il Verdi Theater of Salerno it was built on an Italian layout with 71 stages, a pit and a gallery. The theater is owned by the municipality and is mostly used for opera or classical music performances. It was designed immediately after the unification of Italy, in 1863, following the closure of the San Matteo theater (about 20 years earlier) but it was only inaugurated in 1872. The theatre, after a period of restoration following the 1980 earthquake, was reopened in 1997. The Verdi Theatre it has a capacity of approximately 610 seats. It is located in the old town area of Salerno, next to the Villa Comunale.

Verdi Theater of Salerno - Photo The City of Salerno
Verdi Theater of Salerno – Photo The City of Salerno

11 The Villa Comunale of Salerno

It was the architect Casalbore who designed the Villa Comunale of Salerno at the end of the XNUMXth century. Historically it constituted one of the main connecting areas of the ancient city with other urban centers located in the North-East, first of all the capital Naples. Famous fountain of Don Tullio, Or the Fountain of Asclepius, was in fact built at the end of 1790 for passers-by. Over the years the Villa Comunale it was enriched with other monuments dedicated to illustrious historical figures and botanical species, becoming a meeting and gathering place. In recent years the Villa Comunale it has undergone an expansion and seen the addition of new monuments, all for decoration. There Villa Comunale is connected to the Verdi Theatre from a pedestrian walkway. Since 2006, it has been home to the Enchanted Garden di Luci d'Artista, the lights that decorate the whole city during the Christmas period.

12 The Minerva Garden: botanical garden of the Salerno Medical School

In the area between Villa Comunale and the Castle of Arechi, there is this splendid botanical garden which was used by Salerno Medical SchoolI Minerva Gardens. The botanical garden remains open all year round with afternoon hours that vary depending on the period. In February i Minerva Gardens they can only be visited in the morning, from 9,30 to 13,00. THE Minerva Gardens they host various educational activities and can be visited with a guide. The price of admission is 3 euros with discounts for groups. Children under the age of 6 do not pay, as do tour leaders.

The Minerva Gardens: botanical garden of the Salerno Medical School
The Minerva Gardens: botanical garden of the Salerno Medical School

13 The Trieste seafront

Il Lungomare Trieste of Salerno it is one of the longest (also most beautiful) in Italy. It originates from Piazza Amendola where is the Villa Comunale, Verdi Theatre, The City Palace and Prefect. Ecosystem's staff is Salerno seafront, dotted with palm trees, runs along the sea on one side and is flanked by elegant buildings on the other. The waterfront is a landmark of the city. From here it is possible to walk safely (the route is wide and pedestrian) and enjoy the beautiful view of the Gulf of Salerno and Vietri sul Mare which marks the beginning of Amalfi Coast. On the path of Lungomare the note crosses Concordia Square and the city's tourist port (which contrasts with the merchant port further north) from where the vaporettos leave for the Amalfi Coast.

14 Salerno illuminations: Artist's Lights

Salerno artist lights. The historic center of the city of Salerno and some connected areas are decorated with special lights with a theme that changes every year. Based on what is already happening at Torino, also to Salerno the event has become a great attraction to the point that the city is populated with tourists and excursionists during this period. The Luci d'Artista they are enriched every year with collateral events that are well intertwined with the usual ones of the Christmas period. The event begins at the beginning of November and ends at the beginning of January, immediately after the Epiphany.

Artist's Lights, Salerno - photo Massimo Pica
Artist's Lights, Salerno – photo Massimo Pica

15 How to get to Salerno

Salerno is well connected with the motorway, railway, air and sea networks. By car, from the North: A1 Naples – Salerno: exit Vietri sul Mare or Salerno; A30 Caserta – Rome: Fratte/Salerno centro exit; from the South: A2 Salerno-Reggio Calabria: Fratte/Salerno centro exit; A2 Salerno Reggio Calabria: Pontecagnano exit towards Fratte/Tangenziale: exit from Zona Industriale up to Fratte. By train (Salerno station): also fast trains (Italo e Frecciarossa). By ship: daily connections from the Port of Salerno to Messina, Catania, Palermo, Olbia, Tunis, Malta and Valencia. By plane: Naples Capodichino airport 50 km away; Salerno Amalfi Coast airport (about 20 km).

Salerno what to do

16 What to do in Salerno and surroundings

Salerno is a very lively city. The streets of the historic center and the seafront are always full of people, especially in the summer. And then the connections to Salerno leave Amalfi Coast which represents the noble province of the city of Arechi.

There are many things to do in Salerno and its surroundings, we suggest some attractions and tours not to be missed

17 Where to eat and what to eat in Salerno

The city presents a wide choice of food and wine offer. Salerno cuisine is the daughter of Campania cuisine. Therefore, the first courses based on fish are tasty, but also the pizza which can also be chosen with a stuffed side dish (almost always with ricotta). In the streets of the historic center it is possible, especially in summer, to eat fried fish placed in cardboard cones. A true delicacy representing the Salerno street food. Furthermore, the area of ​​the historic center of Salerno is full of places with a differentiated offer.

A typical dessert from Salerno is the "Cardinal's scuffle” (the cardinal's galley). Born in 1920 in Antica Confectionery pants of Via Mercanti 7. Mario Pantaleone is the owner of the ancient sweet shop whose structure it was once a chapel dedicated to Sant'Antonello, deconsecrated by Murat in 1807.

Scazzetta del Cardinale, Dolceria Pantaleone - Salerno ©Photo Anna Bruno/FullTravel.it
Scazzetta del Cardinale, Dolceria Pantaleone – Salerno ©Photo Anna Bruno/FullTravel.it

Also exquisite is thepizza filled with escarola” whose recipe is borrowed from the Campania tradition. Another typical Salerno specialty is the brioche with ice cream. A specialty found in various ice cream shops (the Nettuno bar, on the seafront, at number 136, is recommended).

18 Where to sleep in Salerno

The city offers various accommodation solutions. From the cheapest B&Bs and holiday homes, to hotels also located on the seafront. Salerno is a city to sleep in it doesn't cost much although in the summer period and especially during the event "Luci d'Artista“, during the Christmas period.

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Information about Anna Bruno 113 Articles
Professional journalist, former reporter for "La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno", she specializes in travel, food, music and technologies. She is co-founder of the communication and digital PR agency FullPress Agency, she is the managing director of FullTravel.it, a travel magazine and of "VerdeGusto", as well as two other magazines. She is the author of “Digital Travel” and “Digital Food”, the fourth and fifth books respectively, for Flaccovio Editore. Digital Travel & Food Specialist, she is a consultant and teacher in training courses and is the delegate for the SOUTH and Islands of the Italian Travel Press (ITP).

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