Salerno
Salerno is a fascinating example of what the Mediterranean has to offer all those who wish to have a closer knowledge of it. The town presents itself as a friendly comunity to visitors and tourists from all over the world.
Over the last few years the town council has improved its urban aspect and recuperated the social – economic functions of the area: ancient monuments and churches have been restored: new parks and gardens have been opened in various town quarters;
roads and squares have been replenished with plants and benches and lit by ornate street lamps, many spaces have been retrieved for artistic, cultural and recreation activities; sports facilities have been increased with the building of new structures such as the Arechi Stadium. Many projects have been carried out to improve the surroundings and standard of living in certain parts of the town.
One can see the many traces of ancient history mixed with the artesan shops and places of entertainment where people throng, in the old town of Salerno which is both quite extraordinary and charming. The recovery of the old town was accomplished thanks to the urban project financial funds which have enabled the discovery of arti stic and cultural treasure.
Today one can read the town’s history merely by looking at the alleys and squares, the churches and buildings. One can perceive the course of events which have followed, a testimony of the flourishing economic, social and cultural splendour of the past centuries.
Nightlife takes place right here in the old town. The town hall has made the opening of many restaurants and places of entertainment possibile. At weekends the many pubs are filled with youngsters till the early hours. In the summer however, people prefer the
fresh air of the seafront which is just a few metres away. The coast is also not short of discoteques and places of entertainment.
There is very litt le informati on regarding the origins of Salerno, although we are lead to believe that the area was inhabited from the early days.
We know the Greeks brought to the vast plains, the culti vati on of linen and wheat crops, olives and fruit, whilst the Etruscans brought the textile, ceramic and bronze industries.
In 197/4 B.C it became a Roman colony under the name of “Salernum”. The colony progressed, enriching its culture and its traditions, even during the Goti dominion. But only after the Lombardy conquest did it become the most
fl ourishing centre of southern Italy.
In 786, Arechi II transferred the ducal seat of Benevento to Salerno to escape an attack by Carlo Magno and gain control of a strategic area between the coast and inland comunications.
The Longobard prince fortified the town, which already possessed the castle on the Bonadies hill, with walls and towers, thus the new capitol became a principality seat and politi cal centre.
During the reign of Arechi II, Salerno knew great splendour, becoming the seat of the oldest medical instituti on in western europe. The famous School of Medicine became known for its precious scientific discoveries fundamental for the present day.
On 13 th December 1076, the Norman leader Roberto the Guiscard, conquered Salerno, bringing an end to the old age dominati on. The Terracina Castle and Cathedral were built under Norman rule and great importance was given to
science, in parti cular the School of Medicine. At the end of the century, a period of economical awakening was registered in the town with the coming of the Normans. Manfred, the son of Federico II, built the jett y which has sti ll his name today and founded the annual fair of S. Mathew, the most signifi cant of its kind in southern Italy.
Queen Margherita of Durazzo took up residence in Salerno aft er the Angoin conquest. She is buried in the cathedral in a monumental tomb, work of the famous sculptor Barbocio da Piperno.
Aft er the XVI century most of the province of Salerno was ruled by the Princes of Sanseverino, strong overlords who att racted men of art and culture to the town. In the fi rst decade of the XVI century, the last descendant of the Sanseverino’s disagreed with the Spanish government, bringing ruin to the family which brought decline to the town.
The years 1656, 1688 and 1694 are painful dates for Salerno: plague and earthquakes produced numerous victi ms. A slow rebirth of the town began at the end of the Spanish empire, during the XVIII century, with the constructi on of many lordly properti es and churches which can sti ll be seen today in the old town.
In 1799, Salerno became part of the Neapolitan Republic. During this period, Gioacchino Murat demanded the closure of the School of Medicine. Religious
orders were suppressed at the same ti me and many ecclesiasti cal properti es were confi scated.
The town expanded outside the ancient walls. An urban development of the area began which continued aft er the Unity of Italy up to the second world war with the expansion of many suburban areas and the constructi on of both public and residenti al buildings.
In September 1943, Salerno witnessed the allied landings and from 12th February to 17 th July 1944 was the seat of the Badoglio government. The aftermath of war was diffi cult for all Italians, but Salerno has slowly succeeded in growing and devolping into a modern european town.
Over the last few years the town council has improved its urban aspect and recuperated the social – economic functions of the area: ancient monuments and churches have been restored: new parks and gardens have been opened in various town quarters;
roads and squares have been replenished with plants and benches and lit by ornate street lamps, many spaces have been retrieved for artistic, cultural and recreation activities; sports facilities have been increased with the building of new structures such as the Arechi Stadium. Many projects have been carried out to improve the surroundings and standard of living in certain parts of the town.
One can see the many traces of ancient history mixed with the artesan shops and places of entertainment where people throng, in the old town of Salerno which is both quite extraordinary and charming. The recovery of the old town was accomplished thanks to the urban project financial funds which have enabled the discovery of arti stic and cultural treasure.
Today one can read the town’s history merely by looking at the alleys and squares, the churches and buildings. One can perceive the course of events which have followed, a testimony of the flourishing economic, social and cultural splendour of the past centuries.
Nightlife takes place right here in the old town. The town hall has made the opening of many restaurants and places of entertainment possibile. At weekends the many pubs are filled with youngsters till the early hours. In the summer however, people prefer the
fresh air of the seafront which is just a few metres away. The coast is also not short of discoteques and places of entertainment.
Historical Notes
There is very litt le informati on regarding the origins of Salerno, although we are lead to believe that the area was inhabited from the early days.
We know the Greeks brought to the vast plains, the culti vati on of linen and wheat crops, olives and fruit, whilst the Etruscans brought the textile, ceramic and bronze industries.
In 197/4 B.C it became a Roman colony under the name of “Salernum”. The colony progressed, enriching its culture and its traditions, even during the Goti dominion. But only after the Lombardy conquest did it become the most
fl ourishing centre of southern Italy.
In 786, Arechi II transferred the ducal seat of Benevento to Salerno to escape an attack by Carlo Magno and gain control of a strategic area between the coast and inland comunications.
The Longobard prince fortified the town, which already possessed the castle on the Bonadies hill, with walls and towers, thus the new capitol became a principality seat and politi cal centre.
During the reign of Arechi II, Salerno knew great splendour, becoming the seat of the oldest medical instituti on in western europe. The famous School of Medicine became known for its precious scientific discoveries fundamental for the present day.
On 13 th December 1076, the Norman leader Roberto the Guiscard, conquered Salerno, bringing an end to the old age dominati on. The Terracina Castle and Cathedral were built under Norman rule and great importance was given to
science, in parti cular the School of Medicine. At the end of the century, a period of economical awakening was registered in the town with the coming of the Normans. Manfred, the son of Federico II, built the jett y which has sti ll his name today and founded the annual fair of S. Mathew, the most signifi cant of its kind in southern Italy.
Queen Margherita of Durazzo took up residence in Salerno aft er the Angoin conquest. She is buried in the cathedral in a monumental tomb, work of the famous sculptor Barbocio da Piperno.
Aft er the XVI century most of the province of Salerno was ruled by the Princes of Sanseverino, strong overlords who att racted men of art and culture to the town. In the fi rst decade of the XVI century, the last descendant of the Sanseverino’s disagreed with the Spanish government, bringing ruin to the family which brought decline to the town.
The years 1656, 1688 and 1694 are painful dates for Salerno: plague and earthquakes produced numerous victi ms. A slow rebirth of the town began at the end of the Spanish empire, during the XVIII century, with the constructi on of many lordly properti es and churches which can sti ll be seen today in the old town.
In 1799, Salerno became part of the Neapolitan Republic. During this period, Gioacchino Murat demanded the closure of the School of Medicine. Religious
orders were suppressed at the same ti me and many ecclesiasti cal properti es were confi scated.
The town expanded outside the ancient walls. An urban development of the area began which continued aft er the Unity of Italy up to the second world war with the expansion of many suburban areas and the constructi on of both public and residenti al buildings.
In September 1943, Salerno witnessed the allied landings and from 12th February to 17 th July 1944 was the seat of the Badoglio government. The aftermath of war was diffi cult for all Italians, but Salerno has slowly succeeded in growing and devolping into a modern european town.
