AMALFI COAST

CATHEDRAL - Duomo of St Andrew

(Amalfi)
The Cathedral (Duomo of St Andrew) is an impressive complex structure located in the main square of Amalfi. It has ancient origins and has been renovated a few times through the centuries. The original structure dates back the ninth century, but the church was completely rebuilt in 1203 in Arab - Norman style. The cathedral’s front is rich with many golden mosics and the facade and the atrium were rebuilt in 1889-91 after the collapse of the olden structures.

The central Mosaic is by Domenico Morelli. The bronze doors of the Duomo were casted in Costantinopoli in 1066, at the time, the Amalfi’s town was a powerful sea-republic. The doors are decorated with figures of Christ, Mother Mary and the Saint of Andrea & Pietro.

The crypt, built in 1253, is really worth visit and it is possible only through the Cloister of Paradise.

The Bell Tower, located to the left of the cathedral, it has kept its original style, and structure, in spite of many renovations. The tower is a mixture of Norman and Arabic style, with its double and triple light windows and its majolica domes. It was built between 1180 and 1276 and it was also used as a defensive tower against Angioini in 1389.

CLOISTER OF PARADISE

(Amalfi - Set beside the Duomo - Cathedral)
The Cloister was commissioned by archbishop Filippo Augustariccio and was built between 1266 and 1268. The Cloister was called "Paradise Cloister" named for its function as a cemetery for the noble men of Amalfi.

The leading style of the Cloister is Moresco. The Cloister was surrounded by six chapels from the XII - XIV century, and was decoreted with beautiful frescos. Five of these chapels are still well kept, and contain the ancient coffins of past noble Amalfitans, such as decurione Publio Ottavio Rufo (IV century). The Coffins are decorated with bassorilievo sculptures.

THE HANDMADE PAPERMILL

(Amalfi - Valle dei Mulini)
Inside Amalfi, after the Cathedral, crossing a modern area of expansion , you will reach the Valley or Valle dei Mulini, where there were major paper mills in the Middle Ages, and today there are the traces of various industries from different periods (19th century - mills and paper mills) and paper museum, or Museo della Carta of the Cartiera Milani.

The museum’s paper is a suggestive example of handmade paper processing and keep books, manuscripts, engravings and prints.

THE ARSENAL

(Amalfi - Front see area)
Another place where we can discover the wonder past of Amalfi’s Republic is the old Arsenal, located on the left hand side of the "Porta della Marina", one of the oldest door that ventured to the sea.

The Amalfi sailors used the Arsenal-Gallery, to built the famous galleys with more then 100 sweeps, destined to carriage of spices, perfumes, carpets and precious materials from the Oriental markets.

EMERALD GROTTO

(Conca dei Marini)
"Grotta dello Smeraldo - Emerald Grotto" is set in the charming bay of Conca dei Marini, 4km north of Amalfi. The Emerald Grotto renowned all over the world for its amazing emerald green waters and its under sea nativity "presepe" (the scene of Christ’s birth).

This Grotto can be reached by road using a lift or stairs or by boat from Amalfi.