The Cathedral of Salerno, a sacred sentinel nestled within the heart of the city, stands as a timeless testament to the spiritual heritage of this ancient Italian enclave. Its soaring spires and weathered stones bear witness to centuries of devotion, each stone imbued with the whispers of countless prayers, the echoes of celestial harmonies. This venerable cathedral, a masterpiece of architectural splendor, is a symphony of styles, a tapestry woven by the hands of time. Its roots stretch back to the 11th century, a majestic blend of Norman and Romanesque influences, with its mighty columns and rounded arches that evoke a sense of solemnity and grace. As one crosses the threshold of this sacred sanctum, they are greeted by a luminous nave, bathed in the ethereal glow of stained glass windows that dance with the hues of a thousand sunsets. The flickering candlelight casts flickering shadows upon the ancient frescoes that adorn the walls, each brushstroke a testament to the devotion of artists who sought to capture the divine in pigment and canvas. Above, a soaring vaulted ceiling seems to touch the heavens, its intricate ribbed patterns resembling the very fingers of angels reaching down to caress the faithful below. A sense of awe envelops those who stand beneath this celestial canopy, a reminder of the divine majesty that has inspired countless souls through the ages. Within the hallowed depths of the cathedral lies a treasury of relics and sacred artifacts, each a fragment of the city's storied past, each a link to the eternal. Pilgrims and seekers of solace alike come to kneel before these sacred relics, their whispered prayers ascending like incense to the heavens. And so, the Cathedral of Salerno endures, a living testament to faith and artistry, a beacon of hope in a world ever-changing. It is a place where time itself seems to stand still, where the mortal and the divine converge in a timeless dance of devotion and grace.

In port in Salerno on a cruise, I had seen this church or more specifically the crypt of St. Matthew under the church on some blogs about Salerno. Do go...we both felt it was close to and in some ways equaled the Sistine Chapel. Big difference was this was very inexpensive to enter, almost no people when we were there and no one yelling at you to move along or tell you to not take pictures. Joking aside, go, and tell your friends to go. The ticket includes a stop at another museum or church, it is so well worth it. Trust me this too with become a destination, go see it now.

It was fabulous to be able to explore such beautiful art and architecture without crowds and protective barriers! I also appreciated how the art was curated. There was just enough so I could look at everything without deciding what was most important! The crypt was magnificent!

Duomo di Salerno is built on the ruins of a Roman temple and is famous for its Byzantine bronze doors, baroque crypt and marble altar. It was originally built by the Normans in the 11th century, then remodelled in the 18th century and was almost destroyed by an earthquake in 1980. The interior represents a nice change from the majority of overly-ornate places of worship we’ve visited in Italy. The exterior is attractive with multiple columnated walkways, the bronze doors and bell tower and this relative simplicity is mirrored on the inside which is mostly plain flat whitewashed walls. However this draws your attention to the spectacular pulpit and alter both of which are masterpieces of stone carving and mosaic work. This same cannot be said of the crypt which is one of the most stunning pieces of architecture we have ever seen. It is dedicated to San Matteo (St Matthew), whose remains were reputedly brought to the city in 954 and were placed beneath the main altar in the vaulted crypt below where every single square inch of this amazing area is covered in painted ceramics and tiles. The entire area looks as if it’s been fired in a kiln and it truly spectacular. It would have been so easy to make this gaudy but it works perfectly. It is not an exaggeration to say that we were moved to tears by this extraordinary place.

What a pleasant surprise. We had some free time in Salerno and we stumbled upon this magnificent church. Not to be missed is the crypt dedicated to St. Matthew. We have seen a lot spectacular religious sites and this ranks in the top 5. Well worth your time and your €5 entry fee.