Province of Salerno: what to see and do
Across its 158 municipalities, the Province of Salerno covers almost 5,000 square kilometres. Its territory includes the Cilento coast, while the city of Salerno faces the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Salerno: history and heritage
After Robert Guiscard took Salerno in 1076 to 1077, the city replaced Melfi as the capital of the Norman possessions in southern Italy. Under Arechis II, Salerno became the seat of a Lombard principality; in the following century the Schola Medica Salernitana emerged. Historians generally agree that the Schola Medica Salernitana has existed since the 9th century. Women could study and teach at the school.
The Norman prince Robert Guiscard built Salerno Cathedral, which Pope Gregory VII consecrated in 1084. The cathedral crypt holds the relics of Matthew the Apostle, who is among the patron saints of Salerno. Piazza Flavio Gioia takes its alternative name, the Rotonda, from its shape. Each year, an illumination event brings LED lights across the city.
The Amalfi Coast
West of Salerno, Vietri sul Mare is regarded as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Its tradition of multicoloured ceramics dates back to at least the 15th century. The Amalfi Drive (SS163) runs for about 50 kilometres between Vietri sul Mare and Positano. Praiano stands between Amalfi and Positano along the SS163 coastal road.
Amalfi once held the status of a maritime republic. Terraced gardens along the coast grow the lemon variety called sfusato amalfitano. In Positano, yellow, green and blue majolica tiles colour the dome of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. In Ravello, Villa Rufolo looks over Piazza Vescovado. Villa Rufolo hosts the concerts of the Ravello Festival in summer (July to early September). In 1880, Ravello provided Richard Wagner with inspiration for the stage design of his opera Parsifal.
A private day tour of the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento lasts 8 hours and includes a private professional guide throughout, private transport and visits to Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
The day tour of Ravello and the Amalfi Coast from Naples with a guide lasts 8 hours, including car or minivan transport for the day, a professional multilingual driver and a photo stop on the Sorrentina peninsula.
A private day trip to Ravello from Naples lasts 6 hours and includes a private vehicle with a chauffeur for the full round trip and private transport along the Amalfi Coast.
Cilento and Paestum
Paestum was founded by settlers from Sybaris around 600 BCE. Once a centre of Magna Graecia, it retains an extensive group of ancient Greek temples in a good state of preservation. Building work on the Temple of Neptune ended around 460 BCE. Its surrounding colonnade has 6 by 14 Doric columns.
Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park was established in 1991 and gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1998. A marine protected area lies at Santa Maria di Castellabate on the Cilento coast. The park is home to otters along some rivers, wildcats, wolves, peregrine falcons and golden eagles. At Velia, the visible remains include those of a temple of Athena on the acropolis, an Angevin tower and the Hadrian baths.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the city of Salerno?
Salerno faces the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
What is inside the crypt of Salerno Cathedral?
The crypt holds the relics of Matthew the Apostle, one of the patron saints of Salerno.
How long is the Amalfi Drive?
The Amalfi Drive (SS163) runs for about 50 kilometres between Vietri sul Mare and Positano.
What survives at Paestum?
Paestum retains an extensive group of ancient Greek temples in a good state of preservation.
Which animals live in Cilento park?
The park is home to otters along some rivers, wildcats, wolves, peregrine falcons and golden eagles.
