Duomo di Salerno (Cathedral of Salerno), Salerno (must see)

The Cathedral of San Matteo, commonly known as Salerno Cathedral, stands as a venerable testament to history, with its roots tracing back to the auspicious founding by Robert Guiscard and consecration by Pope Gregory VII. Officially inaugurated in March 1084, the cathedral underwent a transformative chapter following the earthquake of June 5, 1688, which led to its complete reconstruction.

As one approaches the cathedral, the main entrance reveals modifications, and its courtyard is gracefully encircled by a covered passage supported by twenty-eight simple columns adorned with arches. Along the walls, a series of Roman tombs add an evocative touch to the surroundings. The southern side boasts the 12th-century bell tower, an architectural relic that stands in silent homage to the passage of time.

Salerno Cathedral unfolds its architectural narrative through a plan characterized by a longitudinal body comprising three naves, complemented by a horizontal transept with three apses and a quadriportico. The crypt, a distinctive element, assumes the form of a hall divided by columns, with apses mirroring those of the upper transept. Notably, the crypt serves as the resting place for the mortal remains of Saint Matthew. Legend holds that Gisulfo I transported the relics to Salerno in the 10th century. In 1081, upon the completion of the new cathedral dedicated to the evangelist, the remains found their eternal abode in the crypt, meticulously safeguarded.

The sculptural tapestry of Salerno Cathedral resonates with a captivating presence of animals. Beginning with the entrance, symbols of ecclesiastical power and charity manifest in the depiction of a lion and a lioness breastfeeding her calf. The architrave, adorned with a vine trellis, intertwines with dates pecked by birds, metaphorically alluding to the spiritual nourishment of the soul. At the extremes, a monkey and a lion symbolize heresy and the truth of the church, respectively. The cathedral's interiors are further embellished with decorative elements, featuring medieval heritage animals such as lions, horses, and centaurs.