The Duomo of Amalfi is one of the most famous historical buildings of the area, one of the most visited ones and also one of the most appreciated by tourists.
Every years thousands of tourists take a stop here and enjoy what is truly a masterpiece of architecture, dominating the most famous square of the town.
It’s a must-visit during your stay in the Amalfi Coast. In a while we will provide you with all the necessary infos for a perfect visit. Keep on reading!
Indice dei contenuti
How to reach the Duomo of Amalfi
The Duomo of Amalfi is located right at the center of the town, a few meters far from Municipio Square. It’s one of the most important squares of the town and one of the most visited by tourists from all around the world.
You can reach the cathedral from SS163 if you are visiting by car, both if you are coming from Salerno or from Sorrento.
If you prefer public transportation, you can reach the Duomo by the local SITA bus, stopping at Amalfi and walking for a few meters.
When to visit – business hours
The Duomo of Amalfi is open everyday, and during the mass you can enter without paying the ticket, even though it is required to have respect for the ongoing rite: Amalfi is a city where a quite large population still resides (there are not just tourists!) and most of them prefer following the mass at the main church, i.e. the Duomo.
From March to June the Duomo is open from 09:00 to 18:45. From June to September it is open from 09:00 to 19:45.
From October to February, the Duomo is open from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 16:30.
There is no way to get into the church outside the operating hours, so be prepared and if you don’t want to wait in the line, it is better for you to visit at the early hours of the morning, possibly as soon as it gets open.
The history and the art inside the Duomo of Amalfi
The Duomo of Amalfi is a very peculiar architectural project: it’s composed by two basilicas, a crypt, the world-wide famous stairs, and a cloister.
The cathedral is sacred to Saint Andrew and from 987 is the seat of the archibishop.
The position is strategic: it is at the center of the town and it granted some defense against the many invaders who tried to take over the town during the past centuries.
There is little left from the original building of the Duomo, if not the columns that were taken by the roman ruins around the town.
Close to the apse you will be able to spot three segmental arches, typical of Byzantine architecture, right over a wonderful line of columns. The same kind of columns you will be able to admire in the chapels of Saint Cosma and Saint Damiano.
The story of the Duomo of Amalfi is the story of a church who had to undergo several modification during its life: many of the new parts are the sign of the importance of the bishops who always tried to make this building one of the most impressive of the whole country.
The ancient basilica was once sacred to the Vergine Assunta, the patron of the city.
The construction of the new building has been started after 987, when Mansone I, duke of Amalfi, managed to obtain from John XV a grant that made the church an archbishopric seat. After the new building, the church has been sacred to Saint Andrew.
At the beginning of the XIII century the crypt and the atrium were added to the building.
The new basilica started replacing, by that time, as most important religious building of the town, the old basilica of Vergine Assunta.
During the following centuries, there has been some additions that took the church to its current shape and appearance.
Il Chiostro del Paradiso – Heaven’s Cloister
The Chiostro del Paradiso was originally built to be a cemetery for the noble families of Amalfi.
In the inner part you can find five amazing sacrophagi, representing:
- the kidnapping of Proserpina
- the wedding of Peleo and Teti
- Romolus and Remus, while being suckled by the she-wolf
- another sarcophagus shows the arms of Favaro family
- the last one, belonging to the arci-bishop Pietro Capuano, shows some images of Jesus Christ
Inside the cloister you will be able to find several frescoes of artistic importance. One of them represent the crucifixion of Jesus and was realized by Giotto school.
At the center of the cloister you will be able to find a wonderful garden in Arabic style.
The Duomo of Amalfi is surely worth a visit and should be one of your must-see destination during your next trip to the Amalfi Coast!
