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SalernoSalerno is a crucial communications point between two of the best-known touristic areas of Campania, the Amalfi Coast and the Cilento National Park. It is a lively commercial centre, which boasts one of the largest seaports on the Tyrrhenian coast. Nowadays Salerno has a prevalently modern appearance, although it still has an interesting and characteristic historic centre, with a wealth of notably important and beautiful buildings and monuments. Salerno has a long history. Probably of Etruscan origin, it was a Roman colony in 197 BC. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was conquered by the Goths, the Byzantines and, in 646, by the Lombards. In 839 it became the capital of an independent Lombard principality. Robert Guiscard, the Norman ruler, conquered Salerno in 1077, making it the capital of his dominions. Under the Swabian rulers, it declined with the growing importance of Naples, and in the 15th century the Angevins granted it in feud to the Colonna family, and later to the Orsinis, the Sanseverinos and the Grimaldis. It shared the fortunes of Naples after 1590 until the unification of Italy. As a traveler, you will find Salerno interesting for its transportation system, its nightlife and its monuments and museums. Salerno has a major railway station, with excellent train connections to Naples, Rome, Paestum and the south of Italy. During the summer season ferries depart from Salerno to reach Amalfi, Positano and Capri. The SITA bus lines connect Salerno to the Capodichino airport in Naples, the central train station in Naples, the Amalfi Coast towns of Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, Minori, Maiori and Amalfi itself. The CSTP bus lines connect Salerno to the Cilento National Park area. The nightlife entertainment in Salerno is known by the locals as the "movida". You are welcome to join in: visit the area around the town hall in the evening, and see the people gather in the street, from 9/10 pm, to chat, drink, dine, stroll, meet old friends and make new friends. Don't stop at the main street, Via Roma, but enter the alleys of the old town to reach the square known as Largo Campo. Mostly on week-ends in the winter time, and nearly every night during the summer, you will be able to people-watch and see young and not-so-young Italians hanging around. Don't be surprised if you visit late and find yourself stuck in traffic at 2 in the morning! If movida is just not your cup of tea, you might consider a quiet stroll along the Lungomare (promenade along the sea), one of the longest in Italy, a stop at Bar Nettuno, across the road from the Lungomare, for the best ice-cream in town, and a visit to the monuments of the town. The main monument of Salerno is the Cathedral (Duomo), Romanesque building of XI century, dedicated to the apostle San Matteo, the patron saint of the town; the saint's body and that of Pope Gregorio VII (banished in Salerno) are kept inside the church. The Museum Diocesano, situated in the archiepiscopal seminary in Piazza Plebiscito, keeps several paintings, a famous ivory baldaquin of the XII century with biblical scenes and an illuminated Exultet of the XIII century (free entrance every day from 9 am to 6 pm). In the restored wing of the former medieval abbey of Saint Benedetto is settled the Museo Provinciale, in which archaeological items found in the town and in various places of the province are collected, including a remarkable head of Apollo made of bronze, of the I century b.C. Facing the Museo Provinciale, you will find the interesting Romanesque church of Saint Benedetto, consecrated to Gregorio VII, who lived in the attached monastery. The Castello Longobardo (Arechi Castle) enjoys a great view over the town and the sea. The byzantine castle was enlarged by the Lombards and fortified by the Normans. In the rooms recently restored are now settled collections of items found nearby. External Links:You might also be interested in reading about the following Salerno topics:
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