Salerno

Overlooking a magnificent gulf popular as a holiday resort as far back as Roman times, Salerno became the harbour for the Lombard duchy of Benevento in the dark ages of the barbarian invasions, subsequently becoming an independent principality and being elected the first capital of unified Southern Italy. The city’s main monument is indubitably its cathedral, the history of which rose above local history to take on political aspects with vaster and deeper implications in Robert Guiscard and Pope Gregory VII’s times. Sepulchral and votive inscriptions bear the names of illustrious figures, members of Salerno families or even just the faithful. An ancient history, preserved by monuments and buildings that have survived the ravages of time, are described in these pages that give one of the capitals of Italy the prominence it deserves.