Salerno is a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea, another large and famous pearl of the Amalfi coast of Italy. It is famous for its medieval streets and cathedrals, beautiful parks, ancient aqueducts and sandy beaches. Salerno has a vacation for every taste and, unlike its neighbor who came off the Positano postcard, Salerno seems more alive. Here, the south is full of life, and the streets are always noisy and crowded.
Today Blogoitaliano will tell you all about your holiday in Salerno: its attractions, beaches, hotels and restaurants, as well as how to get to Salerno from other cities in Italy.
How to get to Salerno
The closest international airports to Salerno in Italy are Naples (60 km) and Rome (260 km). Find a suitable flight ticket here.
Trains run regularly from Naples and from Rome to Salerno. You will spend 35 minutes en route from Naples, and 2.5 hours from Rome. Buonotourist shuttle buses also run from Naples Airport to Salerno.
If you do not want to wait for the bus and adjust to the train schedule, you can pre-order a transfer or rent a car. With a car, it’s much more convenient to travel around Salerno, admiring the incredible scenery of the Amalfi Coast.
A bit from the history of Salerno
Around the second century BC. the first settlement appeared on the site of modern Salerno. Initially, it was an Etruscan, and later a Roman colony. After the fall of Rome, the Lombards took possession of the city, placing their capital here and building an impregnable fortress on a hilltop.
The town of Salerno is the pearl of the Amalfi coast of Italy
The real heyday of Salerno falls on the era of the Normans (11th century) during the reign of Robert Guiscard. It was the Duke of Guiscard in the capital of his duchy that opened the Higher Medical School of Skuol Medic Salernitana, which later became one of the largest and most prestigious in Europe. More than 900 years have passed since then, and this school is known to this day, which is why Salerno is often called the "city of Hippocrates."
In the XVII century. the city fell under the rule of the Spanish Duchy, and later was returned to Italy and even played the role of the Italian capital for several months during World War II.
Now Salerno is a major port city in southern Italy, as well as an important historical and cultural center.
Attractions Salerno
Most of Salerno's attractions are located in the historic city center.
Familiarity with the historical part of Salerno is best to start with shopping street via dei Mercantistretching through the entire city center for about 1 km. Back in the XI century. merchants and merchants settled here. And now here you can slowly stroll through the stalls, museums and small souvenir shops.
Via dei Mercanti - the main street of the historical part of Salerno
Along the way, you will certainly meet several medieval churches, including the Church of the Holy Crucifixion (Chiesa del Santissimo Crocifisso), and palaces such as the Palazzo Pinto and Palazzo Carrara. Via dei Mercanti is also home to two famous city museums. The first - pinakothek city (Museo Pinacoteca Provinciale), which contains a collection of paintings from the Renaissance to the first half of the XIX century. The second famous city museum - Roberto Papi Museum (Museo Roberto Papi). Inside, you can trace the entire history of the development of medicine, starting from the XVII century.
Do not forget to turn onto Via Duomo, leading to the main cathedral of the city.
The Cathedral is one of the main attractions of Salerno
Salerno Cathedral is one of the city’s most prominent landmarks. It is consecrated in honor of the evangelist Matthew, whose remains rest inside the cathedral under the main altar. Nearby is the tomb of Pope Gregory VII, who consecrated the cathedral after construction in the XI century. The apse is the Cross Chapel, where the Crusaders consecrated their weapons before the next military campaign.
Next to the cathedral is open Diocesan Museum. Here are the works of Christian art of the last millennium, as well as documents of the Salerno School of Medicine.
Archaeological Museum
Just south of the Duomo is the Abbey of St. Benedict, in whose territory is located Archaeological Museum. In the exposition, you can see archaeological finds dating back to the Bronze Age.
Not far from him, via via Arce, it’s not hard to find the remains of an ancient city water supply. In the 9th century, and it was then that this grandiose engineering structure was built, the aqueduct was laid through the whole city. To date, only fragments of it have reached. Rumor has it that it was built in just 1 night and clearly not without the intervention of supernatural forces. For many years, the locals were a bad omen to pass under the arches of the aqueduct at night.
The aqueduct in Salerno is overgrown with mystical legends
The opposite side of the Duomo is monastery of st. Sophia Order of the Benedictines. It was founded at the end of the 10th century. At first it belonged to the Order of the Benedictines, and later it was transferred to the Carmelite monks. In the XIX century. a city court was located here for some time. Now the monastery has been restored and is hosting guests. On the way to the monastery you can stop at Abbé Conforty Square. There is a version that during the Roman Empire there was a city forum. Unfortunately, it has not survived to our days, but several magnificent palaces of the local aristocracy have survived.
Botanical Garden of Minerva
Speaking about the sights of Salerno, it is worth mentioning the beautiful city gardens and parks. The most famous:
- botanical garden of minerva, broken back in the Middle Ages for students of the Medical School;
- Mercantello Park - one of the largest Italian parks;
- and the urban botanical garden Communale villaswhich every year from the beginning of November to the end of January during the Luci d'Artista holiday turns into a real fairy tale of lights and light.
Do not ignore the numerous palazzos erected in different time periods, starting from the Middle Ages. Attract attention:
- Ruggiero Palacemade in baroque style at the entrance to the Cathedral;
- Santoro Palace on the city promenade, built in a rare copped style;
- palace of rugi of aragonwhere at the beginning of the XVI century. during a visit to Salerno, Emperor Charles V stopped;
- Natella Palacemade in the modern style;
- as well as the youngest in the city - Salerno City Palace, or city hall, built in the mid 30-ies of the twentieth century. in a characteristic fascist style.
The tireless seekers of antiquities will also find attractions in Salerno that deserve close attention.
Fratte Archaeological Park will tell you how the Etruscans lived in these places of antiquity
So to the north-east of the center at the beginning of the 19th century, the Etruscan settlement was opened, which existed here in the VI century. BC. During excavations, archaeologists discovered a whole ancient city with an acropolis, stone-paved streets, houses and baths. You can see the ruins of ancient structures in archaeological park Fratte, and objects found during excavations are stored in the city archaeological museum.
No less interesting the historic landmark of Salerno in Italy is considered the complex of San Pietro a Corte era of the Lombards. It was erected during the reign of Duke Areca II in the VIII century. on the site of the once existing Roman shrine and for a long time was used as the building of the Supreme Court. Near at the same time, the church of San Pietro a Corte was erected, which is one of the oldest attractions in the modern city of Salerno. Deserves special attention in the church Palatine Chapelwhere, during the time of Areca II, the court choir sang. Later this building was transferred to the Higher Medical School. Now here is a museum.
Areca Fortress II
From the Duke of Areca II in Salerno, a fortress (areca fortress) An impressive medieval castle stands high above the city, at an altitude of 263 meters. The museum now houses its walls, where you can see beautiful collections of coins, weapons and ceramics. From here, a bird's eye view offers incredible views of the city. Very romantic place, especially at sunset.
Lovers of high musical art are advised to visit, founded in the middle of the XIX century. Verdi Theaterknown for his productions based on the works of the ingenious composer.
Finishing a walk along Salerno is most pleasant on Trieste Embankment
Well, you can complete your walk in Salerno at Trieste Embankment. It is so nice to stroll here, admiring the beauty of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
There are many attractions in the vicinity of Salerno. These are ancient Roman bridges, the thermal resort of Terme Contursi, and the chic villa d'Ayala in the small town of Valva, and incredible mountain scenery. You can also ride the entire Amalfi Coast, or head to Naples for the volcano Vesuvius and the destroyed city of Pompeii. Impressions, of course, enough for a vacation.
Sea holidays in Salerno
Salerno is a seaside town. Here the sun shines for almost 300 days a year, and the average temperature is kept at +25 degrees. Of course, it can not be imagined without a beach holiday. The bathing season in Salerno is open from May to October.
The beaches near Salerno are covered with fine sand.
There is one free sandy beach in the city, although it is small, and the proximity of the port negatively affects the quality of the water. If you are looking for a clear sea, we recommend you to get out in the surroundings, or stay in a hotel with its own beach.
Salerno Hotels
In the city you can choose a hotel for every taste from budget hostels and guest houses to luxury hotels of category 5 *****, with or without a private beach. Room prices in Salerno start at 45 euros per night. You can find the right hotel at the link below.
What to try in Salerno
The proximity of the sea had a great influence on local cuisine. Gourmets are advised to definitely try dishes of local seafood: fish soups, fish rolls, anchovies with lemon juice, spaghetti with clams and octopus with San Marzano tomatoes cooked in pots. The local cheeses - pecorino, provolone, scorota, mozzarella, manteka cilento and many others made using traditional technologies will delight you with taste.
Spaghetti with clams - one of the traditional dishes in Salerno
Gourmet rum women, sospiri and traditional lemon cookies will appeal to the sweet tooth. Lemons are generally fond of on the Amalfi Coast. They are the main ingredient in many dishes, including the famous Limoncello liquor.
You can drink a sumptuous meal with a glass of local wine, characterized by high quality standards. Recommended Costa d'Amalfi, il Sorrento, il Cilento, il Gragnano or il Lettere.
Other useful articles
- Amalfi Coast: Map and Attractions Nearby
- Positano in Italy - a piece of heaven on earth
- What to do and what to see in Naples: TOP-8 ideas from BlogoItaliano
- 5 most interesting excursions in Naples
- Naples airport and how to get to the city
