Cathedral of St Andrew Apostle — Attraction in Amalfi

Next to the ancient Basilica of the Crucifix stands the new Cathedral, founded by Duke Mansone I in 987 and enlarged at the beginning of the 13th century. by Cardinal Pietro Capuano. It was dedicated from its origins to St. Andrew the Apostle, who later became the patron saint of the city. The new basilica, like the old one, has three naves, once separated by rows of classical columns.

During the Middle Ages the two cathedrals were in direct communication, so they constituted a single architectural complex with six naves. In the first twenty years of the 18th century. the cathedral of S. Andrea was totally reformed in the baroque style at the behest of Archbishop Michele Bologna. The columns were then replaced by pillars inlaid with polychrome marble, the women's galleries were blocked by eighteenth-century decorations, and the ceiling was decorated with coffers in pure gold, containing canvases by Andrea dell'Asta and the Neapolitan school, representing scenes from the life and martyrdom of St. Andrew.

The atrium of the Cathedral was built at the beginning of the 13th century. by Cardinal Pietro Capuano and Archbishop Matteo of Capua.

On the external facade the intertwined Moorish arches rest on marble columns, while the internal walls are characterized by large two-tone tuff blocks. The current architectural structure is the result of the nineteenth-century renovation.

The large marble and granite columns that punctuate the internal space are partly original, preserved today in the cloister. Along the internal wall, frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Christ and St. Andrew the Apostle, created in 1929 by Paolo Vetri, a pupil of Domenico Morelli.

The three entrances of the new Cathedral overlook the atrium, of which the central one has the bronze doors cast in Constantinople in 1060 and the marble portal, dating back to the 8th century, with anthropomorphic figures and "figure eight" geometric-floral motifs of Lombard art.

The interior of the Cathedral still has some traces of the original structure, such as some classical columns and capitals identified through essays in the walls and pillars, as well as Moorish arches intertwined beneath the baroque stucco work of the transept. Along the right wall, a staircase leads to the...

The Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle (Duomo di Sant’Andrea Apostolo) is the iconic centerpiece of Amalfi, located in the town’s main square, Piazza del Duomo. It is a stunning example of medieval architecture influenced by Arab-Norman, Romanesque, and Baroque styles. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Amalfi, whose relics are housed within the crypt.

Key Features: Exterior: • The striking façade is adorned with intricate mosaics, a large rose window, and geometric patterns, reflecting a blend of Moorish and Italian styles. • The bell tower, built in the 12th century, features colorful tiles and unique architectural details. Interior: • The interior of the cathedral showcases Baroque elements, with opulent decorations, frescoes, and gold accents. • The crypt, built in the 13th century, is the resting place of Saint Andrew’s relics, brought to Amalfi from Constantinople in 1208. The Cloister of Paradise (Chiostro del Paradiso): • An elegant cloister adjacent to the cathedral, it was built in the 13th century and features whitewashed arches and columns. It served as a burial site for Amalfi’s nobility. The Bronze Doors: • Created in Constantinople in 1066, the doors are adorned with ornate decorations and inscriptions in Latin and Greek.

Visiting Information: • Location: Piazza Duomo, Amalfi. • Hours: Typically open from morning to late afternoon, with seasonal variations. • Admission: A small fee is charged to enter the cathedral and its cloister.

This landmark is not only a place of worship but also a testament to Amalfi’s maritime history and cultural...

The monumental complex of the Cathedral consists of the Cloister of the Paradise, the Basilica of the Crucifix that houses a museum, the Crypt, and the Cathedral of Saint Andrea and it is, actually, a testimony of the glorious past of Amalfi. It was, as a matter of fact, one of the four Maritime Republics that during the golden age was a point of contact between the occidental and the oriental world. In this way, the cathedral symbolizes the encounter between these two worlds. In the first twenty years of the 13th century, the Cathedral was renovated in baroque style at the behest of the archbishop Michele Bologna. The facade you can enjoy today dates from the 19th century, because the initial one fell down in 1861 for the strong wind. The bell tower, instead, was built during the 12th and 13th centuries, and it is the original one. As a result of this, Amalfi has become an heir of two different cultures: the Roman one and the Byzantine one. As a matter of fact the first two orders of the bell tower are characterized by biforas and triforas with classic columns and capitals from the Romanesque period, meanwhile, the belfry (the highest part of the bell tower) presents intertwined arches decorated with polychromatic majolica tiles that recall a...