Cathedral of San Matteo – Cathedral of Salerno

The Cathedral of St. Matthew or Cathedral is in the heart of Salerno, located in the center of the triangle, with which we define the plant of the historical city, which sees the upper summit, on top of the Bonadies hill, the Arechi Castle and at the lower summit the Church of the Annunciata and Porta Nova.

The cathedral that dominates the square dedicated to Alfano was founded after the conquest of Salerno by the Norman armies of Roberto the Guiscardo and was consecrated in 1084 by Pope Gregory VII, who took refuge in Salerno to escape the attacks of Emperor Henry IV.

The cathedral today presents a collection of elements that recall its evolution, from Romanesque to Baroque, passing through Lombard, Byzantine, Norman and Renaissance.

The present aspect is due to the Baroque renovation started in the after earthquake of 1688. Climbing a double ramped staircase, perched on a neoclassical façade, you arrive at the entrance, greeted by the sculptures of the lion and the lion.

The Porta dei Leoni opens to an atrium with quadriportico to 28 columns of spoglio and arches with an Islamic character, on whose lateral and southern arms is raised a loggia with bifores and pentaphores.

Roman sarcophagi reused in medieval times, tombstones, erratic pieces walled on the walls and frescoes enrich the portico, which closes on the southern side with a monumental Norman bell tower, erected by Archbishop Guglielmo da Ravenna between 1137 and 1152.

A medieval marble portal with Byzantine bronze door gives the main access to the basilica above three longitudinal aisles and three apses, in which the total 18th century remaking is evident. The most interesting part is the choir area, which enters the presbytery and is preceded by two monumental ambones. These are two masterpieces of medieval art, built and decorated between the 12th and 13th centuries. In particular, the sculptures adorn them.

Another artistic jewel is the Funeral Monument of Queen Margherita of Durazzo, a fascinating example of late Gothic sculpture, dating back to the beginning of 1400 and executed by Antonio Baboccio of Piperno.

From the basilica you descend into the beautiful crypt in the classroom. It was the first body built, although its current appearance was due to the works carried out in the 17th century on a project by the architects Domenico and Giulio Fontana. The space is organized around the famous

Two-faced statue of St. Matthew, made by Michelangelo Naccherino (1606) and erected above the tomb of the patron saint with a double altar. On the vault we find frescoes by Belisario Corenzio (1611) with sacred scenes of the life of Jesus. The central apse of the crypt was the chapel of the Medici School Salernitana, of which remains the 18th century altar

made marble.

Inside the Cathedral, accessible from the road floor to the right of the entrance, are the two chapels of Santa Caterina. Both chapels were taught between the 12th and 13th centuries and are considered among the most prestigious offices of the Salernitana Medical School. The lower chapel, variously decorated in the two aisles divided by pillars, is known as Sala San Lazzaro. The upper chapel is, however, known as Sala S. Tommaso, because here St. Thomas Aquinas taught theology, between 1259 and 1273.