It's hard to picture little Amalfi as a town of 70,000 souls, yet this little seaside town was, from the 7th to 11th centuries, one of the great Mediterranean empires, rivalling mighty Venice, Pisa and Genoa. Amalfi merchants set up trading posts throughout the Mediterranean, establishing the Order of the Knights of St John. The town fell with raids by the Saracens, invasion by the Normans in 1131 and a devastating earthquake in 1343. Today the town has a population of 8000, gazing down upon the Bay of Salerno from its cleft in the coastal hills of Campania. Much remains to suggest the former power of the city.
The Duomo sits atop a steep flight of steps on the towns main square. With some parts dating back to the sixth century, the cathedral is a mix of Romanesque and Saracen style, with massive bronze doors from Constantinople, dating from 1066. The body of St Andrew, who gives his name to the cathedral, lies in the crypt. The cloister, or Chiostro del Paradiso here has a marvellously Arab feel, with palms and whitewashed arches. Check out the cathedral museum next door, and the Museo Civico, which has the 'Tavoliere Amalfitana', the book of laws which governed the old republic. Head to the waterfront to see the Arsenal, which now hosts art exhibitions. The main street is the Via Genova, which leads up to the Valle dei Mulini, once home to Amalfi's successful paper mills.
The seafront has market stalls (and there's a good open air market on Wedensdays on the Via delle Cartiere). There are good cafes and restaurants, and bars where you can sample the local liqueur, the intensely citrus 'limoncello'.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Amalfi hotels.
