Cruising to Salerno, Italy

Salerno tourist information.

The capital of the province of Salerno, in Campania, is the small city of Salerno. Located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea, the city is within an easy distance of the dazzling Amalfi Coast. Famous for being the location of the world’s first medical university, Schola Medica Salernitana, Salerno was an important center for art, culture and learning dating back to the 16th century. Over the years Salerno suffered through many plagues and earthquakes, as well as foreign rule. Today Salerno is a city filled with many interesting things to see and do.

Old Town

The port area itself is not particularly attractive, but once you get onto the promenade things get better. Worth a visit also is the Historical Old Town, which has in recent years recovered from being a virtual no-go area to being one of the best preserved historical town centers, full of tiny little passageways and hidden corners.

Schola Medica Salernitana

Salerno was the birthplace of the “Schola Medica Salernitana” in the ninth century, which was the most important source of medical information in Europe at the time, and provided an important impulse to medical learning in Europe.

Salerno Cathedral

Salerno Cathedral is the main tourist attraction in the city. The cathedral’s large bell tower dominates the historical center of the city. In the cathedral’s crypt is the tomb of Saint Matthew, one of the twelve apostles.

Lungomare Trieste

This attractive promenade, which was built in 1950 extends for five and is shaded by palm trees and tamarinds and runs along the foot of the hill crowned by the castle. There is a broad view over the superb gulf of Salerno.