Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Salerno & the Cilento Coast Highlights
Roam the ruins of the Hellenistic town of Velia (
Click here
)
Wonder at the extraordinary Certosa di San Lorenzo (
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)
in Pad-
ula
Explore Paestum (
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), one of Europe's most majestic ancient sites
Stroll through the fascinating
centro storico
(historic centre) in Salerno (
Enjoy a sunset stroll along the lovely promenade in Agropoli (
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)
Marvel at the heady views from Salerno's castle (
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)
Visit the fascinating Grotta dell'Angelo (
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)
by boat
Salerno
POP 139,019
Salerno may seem like a bland big city after the Amalfi Coast's glut of postcard-pretty
towns, but the place has a charming, if gritty, individuality, especially around its vibrant
centro storico
(historic centre) where medieval churches share space with neighbourhood
trattorias, neon-lit wine bars and trendy tattoo parlours. The city recently invested €12.5
million in various urban regeneration programs centred on this historic neighbourhood,
under the watchful eye of Oriol Bohigas, who was similarly involved in Barcelona's earli-
er makeover. A dramatic new ferry terminal designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning archi-
tect Zaha Hadid also opened here in 2012, accentuated by a tree-lined seafront promenade
widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Originally an Etruscan and later a Roman colony, Salerno flourished with the arrival of
the Normans in the 11th century. Robert Guiscard made it the capital of his dukedom in
1076 and, under his patronage, the Scuola Medica Salernitana was renowned as one of
medieval Europe's greatest medical institutes. Far later, the city was tragically left in tat-
ters by the heavy fighting that followed the 1943 landings of the American Fifth Army.
