Salerno is the capital of Salerno Province in Campania. It is bigger that many of the other towns along the Amalfi Coast. As well as a very well preserved medieval centre it has a more modern area nearby.
We stayed a couple of nights there on our way back from Sicily and were delighted by the town. We stayed in the new section, but it was just a short walk to the narrow streets of the old part of town.
Via dei Mercanti was the main street in medieval times and is still a thriving shopping area. New businesses are to be found among old facades, doorways and crumbling stone columns, making for some interesting strolling.
Above the town is the first European Botanical Garden, Giardino della Minerva. The gardens are set in terraces on the side of a steep hill. There is not a lot of space, but it has been used wisely.
On each level is a trough or fountain, part of the clever watering system.
There are excellent views of Salerno from the gardens.
In the centre of the old town is the duomo built in 1076. The Romanesque entrance is called Porta dei Leoni.
It leads to an atrium surrounded on 4 sides with a portico.
The interior of the church is magnificent. The inlaid marble alone makes it worth a visit.
The belltower was constructed in the middle of the 12th century from travertine, bricks and columns that possibly came from the ruins of nearby Paestrum.
The seafront promenade, Lungomare Trieste, was created in the 1950s. It is 8 kilometres long and is lined with rare palms.
We came across a beautiful park.
The view from the park is stunning.
Street art is everywhere in Salerno. Some are small and interesting and others cover the entire side of buildings.
We ate at a wonderful restaurant, Vicolo della Neve, a Salerno favourite. It has been there for 3 generations and was the haunt of poets and artists. Enrico Caruso was a famous guest.
Breakfast was excellent at Puro.
The sfogliatella was delicious.
A well dressed local joined us for breakfast.
Salerno is a great place to stay on the Amalfi Coast. It mixes old and new very well, and there is lots to see and do. Boats leave regularly to other towns along the coast, making it very convenient.
